-
1442
Portuguese take the Berbers
The Berbers are native Africans that dwell in the Northern part of Africa in countries such as Morocco and Egypt. While the Portuguese were exploring for trade routes to India they came across these people. Their original intent was not to take them for slaves but this action would be the catalyst of the slave trade.
Brett, Michael. “Berber.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 20 Mar. 2019, www.britannica.com/topic/Berber. -
1503
First Slaves
In 1503 the Portuguese brought the first slaves to the Americas. It was a small number but as seen in the future it would skyrocket. This launched their free labor based economy. The original slaves primarily stayed in South America where they worked in sugar plantations and mines. This original introduction of slaves would launch the Portuguese into power. -
French Authorization
In 1642 King Louis would authorize the French involvement in slave trade. Their primary locations included parts of Canada which was the longest voyage a slave cooks travel at this time. The ship ride was brutal as it crammed hundred of slaves on with poor sanitation. Often times Africans were die on their way over.
“The History of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.” National Museums Liverpool, www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ism/slavery/index.aspx. -
Royal African Company
The Royal African Company was a monopoly on English tarde in West Africa. They set up forts and trading posts along the coast. In addition, the traded shaves as well as gold in order to keep the business afloat. It began to dwindle in success around 1698 but it continued to particulate in the exchange of slaves.
Pruitt, Sarah. “What Was the Royal African Company?” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 27 Apr. 2016, www.history.com/news/what-was-the-royal-african-company. -
Haitian Revolution
The Haitian Revolution was the first successful overthrow of the oppressive colonists. It began as self declared free men rose up and confronted the slaveholders. For years of battle their plight concluded in a victory and they gained sovereignty. -
Slavery Boom
The transport of slaves remained pretty constant for almost two centuries, but suddenly in 1801 there was a sudden increase in the amount of slaves brought over. Between the years of 1801 and 1807 over three million shaved were brought to the Americas. This greatly disrupted the population in Africa and the damage can still be seen today. -
US Slave Trade Act
This slave trade act states that slaves illegally brought into slavestates would be sold and enslaved. This decreased the number of slaves that were smuggled in but didn’t fo anything to decrease the overall number of skates brought in. -
End of Slavery in England
In 1807, a series of parliamentary acts based by the British parliament would remove England as a figure in the slave trade. This did not however mean that they did not continue to reap the benefits of free labor. Their economy was now structured over industry and they would continue to get their raw materials from the colonies in North America. -
French Prohibits Slaves
In 1823 the French declared that states were longer able to transport their slaves through the Mediterranean. This was huge hit to the economy of slavery since this was the passage that majority of slaves were transported through. -
Coolie
Since socially and politically slavery was beginning to die people had to resort to tiger form of labor. These were contract laborers that mainly came from China. It was a form of very cheap labor. Some of the primary participants included Cuba and parts of the Americas. This marked the shift away from free labor,