Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

First African Slaves

1441

Portuguese explorers take 12 slaves from Africa back to Portugal.

First Slaves in the New World

1502

First African slaves arrive in the New World to serve the conquistadors.

Africa to America

1525

First slave voyage directly from Africa to the Americas.

Exporting Sugar

1641

Colonial plantations in the Caribbean begin exporting sugar. British traders also begin capturing and shipping slaves regularly.

Code Noir

1685

France issues the Code Noir , a law that said how the slaves should be treated. It also limited the rights of free Africans.

French Abolish Slavery in The Colonies

1794

The revolutionary French National Convention abolishes slavery in French colonies, but it is reinstated under Napoleon in 1802-1803.

U.S. and British abolition takes effect

1808

Britain was a major participant in the slave trade, and an immediate impact is seen. The British and Americans also begin trying to police the trade, arresting ships of any nationality that they find transporting slaves, but it is difficult to stop. Portuguese, Spanish, and French ships continue to trade legally according to the laws of their countries.

Spain Abolishes Slavery in Colonies

1811

Spain abolishes slavery in its colonies, but Cuba opposes the policy and it is not enforced for many years.

France Abolishes Slave Trade

1817

France abolishes slave trading, but the law does not go into effect until 1826.

13th Amendment

1865

America passes the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery.

Last trans-Atlantic slave voyage

1867

This was the last trans-Atlantic slave voyage ever.