The African The African Slave TradeSlave Trade

1500’s – 1800’s1500’s – 1800’s

Slave traders sent Slave traders sent approximately 10-15 approximately 10-15 million Africans across the million Africans across the Atlantic to the Americas.Atlantic to the Americas.

First ContactFirst ContactThe first contact came The first contact came

in the 1400’s by in the 1400’s by Portugal’s Portugal’s

Prince Henry. Prince Henry.

He knew there was a He knew there was a great great deal of gold deal of gold and he was and he was looking for looking for a a sea route sea route around around Africa to India.Africa to India.

By the late 1400’s, the By the late 1400’s, the Portuguese and other European Portuguese and other European countries set up trading countries set up trading stations along the West coast.stations along the West coast.

The Europeans traded The Europeans traded with Africans.with Africans.

Traded cheap clothes and Traded cheap clothes and beads for fish, ivory and beads for fish, ivory and gold.gold.

Christian missionaries Christian missionaries from Europe also from Europe also converted many Africans converted many Africans into Christians.into Christians.

Europeans had brought Native Europeans had brought Native Americans to mine the land in Americans to mine the land in Africa but they died too easily.Africa but they died too easily.

Immune systems were not built Immune systems were not built up to withstand diseases found up to withstand diseases found along equator.along equator.

When Native Americans did When Native Americans did not work, they turned to not work, they turned to African’s. African’s.

Europeans introduced slavery Europeans introduced slavery on a massive scale around on a massive scale around the 1500’s.the 1500’s.

Trading posts were set up along Trading posts were set up along the coasts. the coasts.

Slaves were kept in what was Slaves were kept in what was known as “castles” – chained at the known as “castles” – chained at the feet and neck.feet and neck.

Many died before making Many died before making it to land from beatings, it to land from beatings, starvation, and disease.starvation, and disease.

They were fed only They were fed only enough to be kept alive.enough to be kept alive.

1700’s – the height of the 1700’s – the height of the slave trade.slave trade.

Up to 600,000 Africans a year Up to 600,000 Africans a year were packed on slave ships.were packed on slave ships.

And, as the demand And, as the demand continued to grow, so did the continued to grow, so did the profits.profits.

Europeans relied on African Europeans relied on African kings kings and Merchants to and Merchants to help them.help them.

They would supply guns and They would supply guns and other other goods in exchangegoods in exchange for for slaves.slaves.

The slave trade lasted The slave trade lasted approximately 400 years.approximately 400 years.

Abolition – the movement to Abolition – the movement to end slavery.end slavery.

1807 – The British 1807 – The British outlawed the slave trade.outlawed the slave trade.

1805 – Outlawed in the 1805 – Outlawed in the US. Continued illegally US. Continued illegally until 1865.until 1865.