Codice Durán, Edición privada de Cartón y Papel de México, S.A., México 1975.		7 of 7   Setting the Stage The Encounter Colonial Life Independence
	MEETING OF THREE RACES he Conquest forced profound changes in the social structures of the Americas. Much of the old was irretrievably and tragically destroyed. Nonetheless, many indigenous ways survived and continued to shape and permeate Latin American culture in realms such as religion, politics, and the arts. African culture brought by large populations of slaves became a major influence as well, particularly in the countries of Brazil, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti. To a smaller extent, imported Asian labor and goods also made a mark. Latin America became and remains a unique confluence of all these cultures: indigenous, European, African, and Asian.