How Argentinian Systematically Erased Their Black Population

In Argentina's history, there were black immigrants from Africa known as AfroArgentines who were enslaved during the 18th century. Initially, they constituted a significant portion of Argentina's population, but over time, their numbers decreased.
According to a census conducted by the Spanish Council in 1778, AfroArgentines accounted for approximately 37% of the country's population. However, in subsequent years, their population dwindled to around 15% of the total population. As a result, Argentina is presently considered the whitest country in South America.
Due to the limited presence of AfroArgentines, it has become exceedingly difficult to find them in prominent careers such as sports, journalism, politics, and other fields. In this video, we will explore the history of AfroArgentines and investigate the factors that contributed to their decline and eventual disappearance in Argentina.
Let's delve into their history. During the 16th century, black individuals were forcibly taken from their homelands in Africa, subjected to chains on their feet and hands, and sold into slavery. Some originated from the Cape Verde islands, while the majority belonged to ethnic groups that spoke Bantu languages, hailing from regions that encompassed Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Republic of Congo.
A small number of individuals came from Europe and other places. By the 1600s, an estimated 12 million African slaves had been transported to Latin America via slave ships. Tragically, during the transatlantic journey, approximately 10 to 15% of the captured slaves perished, and many more lost their lives during the process of enslavement while traveling through the interior parts of Africa.
For every 100 slaves who successfully reached the New World, there are records indicating that about 40 lost their lives. Some of these black individuals were captured and brought to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. During that time, the primary commercial activity in Buenos Aires was the trading of slaves for profit.
Enslaved individuals were compelled to work in various sectors, such as agriculture, livestock, domestic service, food production, and craftsmanship. In urban areas, many slaves engaged in handicraft production for sale, with the profits flowing into the pockets of their masters.
The neighborhoods of Santelmo and Montserrat in Buenos Aires had a significant concentration of slaves, although most were eventually sent to the interior provinces. As the slave trade industry grew, capturing and importing slaves from Africa accounted for around 70% of trading activities in Buenos Aires.
This historical account sheds light on the presence and subsequent decline of AfroArgentines in Argentina. The factors that contributed to their reduction and eradication warrant further exploration and understanding.