Portugal's role in the slave trade

Prince Henry the navigator

1441

Portugal started the European slave trade with Africa. Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal sent a trading expedition to Africa, to explore the little known continent, in 1441

Portugal enslaves the Berbers.

1442

In 1442, Portugal people enslave Berbers. Berbers were a North African tribe that lived in the southern part of the Mediterranean sea near good trading areas. Portugal decided to enslaved the Berbers because they wanted to gain access to Africa, so they could start the African slave trade. The Berbers were a good source for this because it granted them access to Africa and the various natural resources and languages that surrounded it.

Portugal makes profitable slave-trading agreements with Moorish and African chiefs

1448

Portugal began making profitable slave-trading agreements with Moorish and African chiefs. Europeans depended on African rulers to gain access to the material that they wanted. Atlantic slave trade became more organized and was used at an advantage to Africans in authoritative positions as well as Other countries taking part in the slave trade.

Portuguese build first slave-trade post at Elmina, Gold Coast (now Ghana).

1482

Elmina, like other West African slave fortresses, housed luxury suites for the Europeans in the upper levels. The slave dungeons below were cramped and filthy, each cell often housing as many as 200 people at a time, without enough space to even lie down.

Abolished slave trading

1819

Portugal agrees to abolish slave trading, but only north of the equator.

Abolished slave trade (South of equator)

1836

Bans the transatlantic slave trade and the importation and exportation of slaves from, or to the Portuguese colonies south of the equator.

Louis 1

1869

Louis I abolishes slavery in all Portuguese territories and colonies.