Transatlantic Slave Trade Timeline

By sforbes1
  • 1441

    Portugal transports Africans to use for slavery

    This is the first documented occurrence of a European country exploiting the African population for slavery.
  • 1481

    Portugal builds first 'slave fort'

    Elmina Castle, constructed in 1481, was located on the coast of modern-day Ghana. Overall, this became a major trade hub for Portugal, both with the slave trade and other forms of trade.
  • 1502

    First African slaves arrive in Spanish colonies

    In Spanish colonies, slaves were used for physical labor and were often traded and sold to Portuguese explorers.
  • 1542

    New Laws of 1542

    The New Laws of 1542 sought to end slavery in the Spanish colonies in North America.

  • Dutch West India Company Formed

    This company was primarily formed to combat the trading of Spain and Portugal, as well as help assert the dominance of the Dutch in the slave trade.

  • Virginia's Laws Regarding Slaves

    The Virginia colony passes various laws determining the status of a slave. If a woman is a slave and has a child, her child is now declared to be a slave, and that status cannot be changed. Baptism is also ineffective at changing this status.

  • The publication of "The Code Noir"

    Published by France, it aimed to convert slaves to Christianity and establish how slaves should be treated.

  • Introduction of "Triangle Trade"

    The creation of slave crates helps create the triangle trade system, connecting the Americas, Europe, and Africa in the shipment of African Slaves.

  • Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade Created

    This Society was founded by 12 British men who wanted to educate the public on the institution of slavery.

  • Haitian Revolution Begins

    The Haitian Revolution began as a slave revolt in the French colony known as Saint-Domingue. Following this, slavery became abolished in all French colonies for a short amount of time until Napoleon reinstated it in 1802. Saint-Domingue would gain its independence in 1804 and would be renamed as Haiti.

  • Abolition of the Slave Trade Act

    Britain passed the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act in 1807, and as its name tells, it abolished the slave trade in British settlements. America would also abolish the slave trade in the following year.

  • Portugal Abolishes the Slave Trade

    Portugal abolishes the slave trade in all colonies and settlements north of the equator, however Brazil remained part of the trade.

  • Slavery Banned in British Colonies

    The Slavery Abolition Act ended slavery in British colonies, but slaves weren't considered as completely free until 1840. Owning slaves was now illegal.

  • Aberdeen Act Passed

    Signed between Brazil and Britain, the Aberdeen Act sought to end the Atlantic slave trade.

  • Brazil Abolishes Slavery

    Brazil, arguably the largest slave importer during the trade, abolishes slavery.