Atlantic slave trade

Quick Facts: Who was Atlantic slave trade?

Subject:

Atlantic slave trade

Known for:

The forced transportation of enslaved Africans to the Americas via European maritime routes.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Atlantic slave trade, also referred to as transatlantic slave trade (or trans-Atlantic slave trade), involved the transportation by slave traders of enslaved African people to the Americas. This trade was operated by slave ships from both Europe and the New World. Some voyages used the triangular trade route and its Middle Passage, particularly in the early phases. Europeans established a coastal slave trade in the 15th century, and trade to the Americas began in the 16th century, lasting well into the 19th century. Most of the people transported in the transatlantic trade were from Central and West Africa.

Career & Major Achievements

In contrast to other slave trades, those who were taking slaves from Africa generally purchased their cargoes from West and Central African slave merchants. This applied to Europeans in the transatlantic trade and Arab slave traders supplying their own markets. While Europeans were involved in some raiding, this was uncommon and discouraged. The Portuguese built barracoons in their African slaving bases to gather newly purchased captives ready for the next ship to arrive. Northern Europeans operated some forts as African bases, originally for trading in gold, but later for slaves.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

However, the usual approach of North European slave traders was to use their ship as a base in which to gather their cargo. This meant these ships spent much longer on the African coast than Portuguese vessels, and the first slaves the slavers bought endured longer confinement on board. The Americas had, after Australia, a much lower population density than other inhabited continents. Exploitation by the European conquerors of these lands needed a workforce, but the sparse indigenous population was shrinking due to European diseases. Demand for labour could not be met by Europeans, who were reluctant to emigrate at this early stage.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Atlantic slave trade

True or False: “The transatlantic slave trade was solely led by Iberian conquistadors throughout its entire history.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While the Iberian monarchs sponsored many discoveries, the exploration of the Atlantic was a truly international exercise involving multiple European nationalities.

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