Slavery in Mexico began during Spanish colonization, with the arrival of the conquistadors in the 1829th century. Native Mexicans were the first to be enslaved, forced to work in silver mines and on plantations. With the decline of the indigenous population due to diseases brought by Europeans, the Spanish began bringing in African slaves to meet the demand for labor. The abolition of slavery in Mexico occurred gradually, with laws enacted throughout the XNUMXth century, culminating in its official abolition in XNUMX. However, racial discrimination and inequality persist in the country to this day.
End of slavery in Mexico: in what year did abolition officially occur?
Slavery in Mexico originated during the colonial era, when the Spanish introduced Africans as slaves to work in mines, plantations, and in domestic service. Slaves were considered property of their owners, suffering all kinds of exploitation and violence.
The abolition of slavery in Mexico officially occurred in 1829 , during the presidency of Vicente Guerrero. The 1824 Constitution had already declared the abolition of slavery, but it was only in 1829 that the law was effectively implemented. From that moment on, slaves were declared free and gained equal rights before the law.
Despite the official abolition of slavery, discrimination and inequality persisted for many years in Mexico, particularly affecting the Afro-descendant population. The struggle for equality and respect for human rights is still a reality in the country, but the end of slavery in 1829 was an important milestone in Mexican history.
Origin of slaves: a look at the roots of the slavery system.
Slavery in Mexico had its roots in Spanish colonization, which brought with it the system of forced labor of Africans brought from Africa. Slaves were primarily used on sugarcane plantations, in mines, and in domestic service.
The abolition of slavery in Mexico occurred gradually, being officially abolished in 1829. However, the practice continued clandestinely for many years, especially in rural and isolated areas.
The origin of the African slaves who were brought to Mexico was primarily from the West African region, where they were captured by slave traders and sold to European merchants. Many of these slaves suffered inhumane conditions during the transatlantic voyage known as the slave trade.
The struggle of slaves for their freedom was constant, and many fled the plantations and mines seeking refuge in indigenous communities or urban areas. The abolition of slavery was a landmark in Mexican history, but the consequences of this system persisted for many years, leaving a legacy of inequality and discrimination.
Why was slavery abolished?
Slavery in Mexico originated during Spanish colonization, when native people were subjugated and used as slave labor. Africans were also brought to the country as slaves to work in mines, plantations, and other activities.
The abolition of slavery in Mexico took place in 1829, during the administration of President Vicente Guerrero. The main reason for abolition was international pressure, primarily from England and the United States, which had already abolished slavery in their territories. Furthermore, abolitionist movements in Mexico gained strength and fought for the freedom of slaves.
Another important factor in abolition was the growing awareness of human rights and equality among individuals. Slavery was seen as an inhumane practice and contrary to the principles of freedom and justice. Over time, Mexican society began to question the morality of slavery and demand its abolition.
In 1829, Mexico enacted the Slavery Abolition Act, which declared all slaves free and prohibited the practice of slavery throughout Mexico. With this, slavery was officially abolished in the country, marking an important step forward in the fight for human rights and equality.
Origin of slavery: where did this cruel practice in the history of humanity come from?
Slavery is a practice that dates back to antiquity and originated in various civilizations around the world. It consisted of the possession of individuals who were considered property of their owners, forcing them to work without pay or rights.
Throughout human history, slavery emerged as a form of domination and exploitation, justified by economic, social, and cultural motives. In Ancient Egypt, for example, slaves were used to build monuments and perform heavy labor. In Greece and Rome, slavery was a fundamental institution for the economy and society.
During the colonization of the Americas, slavery was introduced by Europeans as part of the system of exploiting the wealth of the New World. African people were captured and sold as slaves to work on sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, and coffee plantations.
In Mexico , slavery had a significant presence during the colonial period, with the arrival of the Spanish. Indigenous people were the first to be enslaved, but due to high mortality rates and resistance, the Spanish began bringing in Africans to meet the demand for labor.
The abolition of slavery in Mexico occurred in 1829 , after years of struggles and movements for the freedom of slaves. The Abolition Law was an important milestone in the country's history, but discrimination and inequalities persisted for many years after the official end of slavery.
In short, slavery originated in various ancient civilizations and has been justified for various reasons throughout history. In Mexico, slavery played an important role during colonization and was only abolished in 1829, marking the beginning of a long journey toward equality and social justice.
Slavery in Mexico: origin of slaves, abolition
Slavery in Mexico was a social system that began with Spanish colonization and officially ended on December 6, 1810. As in the rest of the Americas, slavery in Mexico consisted of the use of African people in forced labor, who were sold as goods and came mainly from sub-Saharan Africa.
Approximately 200.000 slaves arrived in Mexican territory, formerly known as New Spain, during the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. These slaves were dispersed throughout the country and employed in both hard labor and servitude.
Following the independence movements in Mexico, one of the emancipation statutes was the abolition of slavery, granted in 1810. However, the eradication of the practice took little more than a century.
Where did the slaves come from?
The First Slaves: Their Participation in the Fall of the Aztec Empire
The first known record of Africans in Mexican territory dates back to the expeditions of Hernán Cortés. The Spanish navigators were accompanied by some of their slaves, who had come from Portugal and Spain.
It is estimated that at least six slaves settled alongside Cortes' expedition and played an important role in the capture of Tenochtitlan, the great city of the Aztecs.
It is believed that one of them, sick with smallpox, was the cause of the great epidemic that would kill thousands of indigenous people in Mesoamerica.
Countries of origin
Once New Spain was established, the slave trade began. Groups from Eastern Sudan and the Bantu ethnic group (dispersed throughout Central Africa) arrived in the territory that now comprises Mexico.
Angola, Guinea, and Cape Verde were the predominant places of origin for slaves; later, ships carrying slaves from the Canary Islands also arrived. It is estimated that a total of 200.000 slaves set foot in New Spain during the colonial period.
Sales and selection criteria
Considered interchangeable goods, slaves were classified according to their value and strength. For example, men were stronger and more resilient, while women fell ill more frequently.
Therefore, two-thirds of the slaves were male; the rest were females considered necessary for procreation.
Because they came from different areas of the African continent, there used to be a marked distinction between the ethnic groups of slaves. The terms "retina" were coined for those with darker skin, and "amulets" were those with a shade closer to yellow.
Slavery
The need for African labor in New Spain increased due to the decline of the indigenous population. Those who did not die from diseases brought by the Spanish could not endure the arduous days of heavy labor imposed by the colonizers.
The economy of New Spain was not entirely based on slavery (like the United States), but it benefited greatly from it. Slaves worked primarily on sugarcane, cattle, and mining plantations; others were employed in domestic servitude.
Indigenous Situation
In the early 1517th century, a large number of indigenous people lived in slavery in New Spain. In XNUMX, King Charles V of Spain granted permission to his colonies to purchase slaves, and with it the commercial exchange of Africans began.
However, Dominican friars and other members of the Catholic Church denounced the abuses suffered by the native inhabitants of the Americas.
In 1639, Pope Urban VIII banned slavery in the colonies of Spain and Portugal; King Philip IV of Spain followed the Church's orders and ordered the liberation of the natives, but not of the Africans.
Position of slaves in the castes of New Spain
During the viceroyalty, the three main social groups based on ethnicity were "whites," "Indians," and "blacks." This created an exhaustive system of social division called the "caste system."
For example, in this system, the union of the Spanish (white) with the Indian produced a mestizo. Unlike other models of slavery in the Americas, where Africans were excluded, in New Spain they were part of the ethnic mix.
The mixture of Spanish and Black was called "mulatto"; the mulatto and Spanish were called "Moorish"; and Moorish and Spanish were called "Chinese." The division continues with at least 16 other combinations. This union allowed for a slight reduction in socio-racial prejudices; however, it did not eliminate the condition of slavery.
Abolition of Slavery
During the colonial period, slave revolts were staged in pursuit of emancipation. In the state of Veracruz, fugitives led by Gaspar Yanga established their own autonomous communities called palenques. Africans who fled slave labor were called quilombolas.
In 1810, during the struggle for Mexican independence, the liberator Miguel Hidalgo included the abolition of slavery in the statutes of the independence movement.
However, after the struggle, it was difficult to get the owners to free their slaves, who at the time were private property.
In 1829, during the brief term of Vicente Guerrero (the first president of African descent in the Americas), efforts were made to compensate a large number of slaves.
The total abolition and prohibition of forced labor in Mexico was not absolute until the reinstatement of the Mexican Constitution in 1917.
Afro-Mexicans
Today, descendants of slaves in Mexico are called Afro-Mexicans. This category also includes descendants of Africans who recently immigrated to the country.
However, unlike other countries with African influence, Afro-Mexicans do not constitute a significant portion of the population.
Their cultures and traditions have been overshadowed as Mexico is considered a mestizo country and focuses on indigenous and Spanish relations.
Added to this is the fact that, during the colony, slaves participated in the process of miscegenation and their physical characteristics were not maintained over time.
In Mexico, the populations with the highest concentration of Afro-Mexicans are found in the states of Guerrero, Oaxaca and Veracruz.
References
- Brooks, D. (2017) Criollos, Mestizos, Mulattos or Saltapahind: How Caste Division Arose During Spanish Rule in the Americas. BBC World Retrieved from bbc.com
- Lenchek, S. (2008) Slavery in Mexico: History of Mexico. Mexconnect Retrieved from mexconnect.com
- Olveda, J. (2013) The abolition of slavery in Mexico (1810-1913). Historical signs; 15-29. Retrieved from Scielo.org
- Palmer, C. (n.d.) Africa's Legacy in Mexico. Migrations in History. Retrieved from Smithsoniaeducation.org
- Porras, A. (2015) Mexico's Black President Abolished Slavery Before the U.S. Civil War. Latin American Link Retrieved from Newstaco.com
- Richmond, D. (2004) The Legacy of African Slavery in Colonial Mexico (1519–1810). Wiley Online Library. Retrieved from onlinelibrary.wiley.com