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1480
Portugal Starts Taking Enslaved People
Portugal introduced the practice of slavery in Africa. Portugal became a major slave merchant. This happened in western Africa. They started exploring for different items like fabrics, spices, and gold, and they found themselves in Western Africa. -
1500
Establishing Colonies in the New World
They wanted to establish colonies in the New World because of Glory, God, and Gold. It was mostly Europeans coming over. They started building up their establishments, and they needed a way to make a profit and not pay the people working on their plantations. This happened along the eastern coast of the United States down into Cuba and the Caribbean. -
1502
1st Enslaved African Arrives in New World
This would start a long history of Enslaved people being shipped over to North and South America. This event happened when Juan de Cordoba sent his enslaved people from Spain to Hispaniola. They Ensalved people who mined precious metals and farmed sugar, coffee, and tobacco. -
1560
Slave Trade Becomes a Regular Occurence
Over the years, more and more people were shipped over to the New World. The majority was happening in Brazil. Around 2,500 - 6,000 enslaved people were kidnapped and transported over each year during this time. -
Jamestown Formation
This was the first colony established in the new world. It was established in Virgina. The significance of this event is that it is the first permanent settlement in the United States. The merchants of Jamestown would become very involved in the slave trade. -
1st Slaves in Jamestown
This was the first recorded slave in the United States. They were working on tobacco plantations in Virginia. The exports from this colony were being sent back to Britain. -
Caribbean Begins Exporting Sugar
Sugar export will become one of the most produced and exported goods from the Caribbean. Also, during this time, British traders began capturing and shipping enslaved people regularly. This was happening in the Caribbean. -
The Slave Codes Established
The Slave Codes were established to limit the freedoms of enslaved people to assert the authority of Plantation owners. They also were established to protect the "property" of Slave owners. This would further put in place the suppression of Africans and African Americans. This would happen in Barbados, and later on, Virginia would establish its slave codes in the early 17th century. -
Largest Wave of Enslaved People
The largest wave of enslaved people would be taken to the Americas. This would account for nearly three fifths of the total volume of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. This would take place in North and South America. -
Major Slave Revolt
A major slave revolt would happen aboard the Bristol Ship named King David. This happened in the waters near Guadeloupe. They Enslaved Africans ended up killing the captain and the crew, except for four of the sailors. This would show the strength of the African people and inspire others to revolt. -
Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade
This society became a major force for the abolition. It was first established in Britain, and many others then followed suit and established their Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade. They would rise and speak out about the cruelties people were facing. -
Great Britain Abolishes Slave Trade
Great Britain abolished the slave trade during this year. This will, in turn, make more people reconsider their stance on the slave trade. This happened in Britain. -
U.S. Congress Bans the Importation of Slaves
Just a year after Great Britain abolished the slave trade, the United States followed suit, being that the two areas are very closely related. This happened in Virginia. -
Slavery Abolition Act is Passed
Britain, this year, passed a law that banned slavery in its colonies. Enslaved people were to be released over the years, with the final release scheduled for 1840. This took place across Great Britain's colonies. They were the first people to release enslaved people, and other places gradually followed suit. -
The Amistad Mutiny
The US Navy seized a Spanish Slave ship off the coast of Long Island. The enslaved people were able to take control of the ship, and abolitionists demanded a trial for the enslaved people aboard the ship. It was appealed to the Supreme Court, where John Quincy Adams was able to successfully argue for the men's freedom. The men were able to return back to Africa. -
Brazil Outlaws the Slave Trade
Brazil was able to abolish the slave trade. Even though slavery was still legal. However, the smuggling of enslaved people still happened for decades in Brazil. This happened in Brazil, and after this event, the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade dropped very steeply. -
American Civil War
A majority of the American Civil War took place in the South. Major battles happened in Virgina and Tennesse. The war took place for 4ish years. This event led to the abolition of slavery in the United States and laid the foundations of political and social change. Even though Slavery was abolished, people of color still faced racism and alienation at this time. -
The 13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment was passed at the end of the Civil War. This amendment would abolish slavery in the United States. It took place at the White House. The amendment was first turned down in the House, but Abraham Lincoln took a major role to try to pass the amendment. -
The Last Voyage of Captive Enslaved People
The last voyage of captive enslaved people happened this year. The people on this ship were smuggled into the United States. The ship was intentionally sunk to hide the evidence of the 110 captives coming over to America. 30 of them were set free and founded Africatown. This is the only surviving community in America founded by Africans. -
Brazil Abolishes Slavery
Brazil finally abolished slavery in 1888. This event happened in Brazil. Brazil was the last country to abolish slavery because its economy relied on slave labor for agricultural purposes, international pressure, particularly from Britain, and domestic sociopolitical factors.