Migration and Cultural Diversity in the Americas

Diverse Settlement and Ethnic-Cultural Landscape

In a very short time, our continent received a lot of migration, which left a special imprint on the native people. In the U.S., the first British colonizers were joined (17th and 18th centuries) by nearly 1 million African slaves. In the 19th century, many European immigrants arrived, adding well over 400 million people, not only from Europe but also from Asia. In Canada, the population growth was slower, reaching only 600 thousand inhabitants, while the U.S. had 4.5 million. This was mainly due to the installation of the railway, which favored the central plains, doubling the population. In general, poor immigrants were arriving in these two countries in search of jobs and economic progress, but they continued to maintain relationships with their own ethnic group. It was important to learn the English language and adopt some customs of Anglo-Saxon society. While these immigrants were gaining important positions, some argue that the true American was the WASP: White, Anglo-Saxon, and Protestant. While Canada once surpassed the big ethical difference, there are no conflicts. In the U.S., only evidence persists of discrimination and prejudice against minorities (Blacks and Native Americans) confined to reservations, and those of Latino and Asian origin.

Migration in the Americas

During the stage of habitation, the American continent received large contingents from other continents. Then, this influx declined. In the last decades, other movements began to gain importance, featuring the inhabitants of the continent. In Latin America, two types of movements stand out: migration to the U.S. and population movements between Latin American countries. In the U.S., these movements are made across the territory.

African-American Population

From the 16th to the 18th century, the English, French, Dutch, Spanish, and Portuguese brought nearly 12 million Africans to the Americas. They were forced to work on plantations in the Antilles, Brazil, and the southern U.S. Nearly 120 million inhabitants of our continent are of African descent or are mulatto. This marginalization contributed to keeping alive the culture of these minorities, although their languages did not become official in the countries that received them. For example, voodoo in Haiti. As for music, samba and other rhythms of jazz, the African-American community contributed to the development of modern music.

Evolution of Latin American Population

The cultural mix process between native, Spanish, and Portuguese populations predominated. The indigenous populations of the Maya, Aztec, and Inca, which had great numerical importance and high cultural development, suffered a sharp decline. The most developed indigenous groups were virtually exterminated. Due to the influence of Iberian culture, there are large populations in the Caribbean and other ethnic sub-cultural entities that are different. Immigration played an important role in the settlement of some parts of America. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, the densely populated centers of the Mexican highlands, Central America, and the Andes lost relative weight in favor of other areas, such as northeast Brazil and the Caribbean, which increased their population due to the influx of African slaves. Towards the end of the 19th century and well into the 20th century, a massive influx of European immigrants began, especially to countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay.