Slavery in Latin America Spanish & Portuguese settlers moved to newly conquered lands to mine for gold & silver and grow sugarcane. The European diseases killed millions of native Americans (their workforce), so they began importing slaves from Africa. Africans were preferred because They were more immune to European diseases. They were easily spotted if they ran away because they didnt blend into society. African slavery was very important to the development of South America. Brazil imported more slaves than any other country in the world! Portugal Great Britain France Netherlands Spain African slavery was also important in the development of the Caribbean islands, known as the West Indies. Spain was the first to colonize the region. Sugarcane plantations were a major source of revenue. Jamaica & St. Domingue(now Haiti) produced more sugarcane than Brazil. Jamaica was considered more valuable than the 13 colonies of the U.S.!