Transatlantic Slave Trade

The term used to refer mainly to the descent of Africans who were brought into America between the 17th and early 19th century is the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The slave trade was a system of human trafficking, in which millions of Africans were forcibly transported from their homes and sold into slavery in the Americas.

Origins of the Transatlantic Slave Trade

The Transatlantic Slave Trade began in the 15th century when Portuguese traders began to sail down the African coast in search of gold. By the 16th century, European traders had begun to buy and ship slaves from West and Central Africa to the Americas.

Impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade

The Transatlantic Slave Trade had a profound impact on the African continent, as millions of people were forcibly taken from their homes and sold into slavery. It also had a significant impact on the Americas, as slave labor powered the economies of many countries, including the United States. The legacy of slavery and racism continues to shape the social and economic fabric of many countries today.

The End of the Transatlantic Slave Trade

The Transatlantic Slave Trade officially ended in the 19th century, but its legacy continues to shape the world today. The abolitionist movement played a significant role in ending the slave trade, along with economic and political factors. The United Kingdom and the United States were among the first countries to abolish slavery, although it took many more years for slavery to be abolished in other parts of the world.