Transatlantic slave trade era

Definition

The transatlantic slave trade era refers to the period between the 16th and 19th centuries when millions of Africans were forcibly captured, transported, and enslaved by European powers across the Atlantic Ocean. This brutal system played a significant role in shaping global economies and demographics.

Related terms

Middle Passage: The horrific voyage endured by enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas aboard crowded and unsanitary slave ships.

Triangular Trade: A three-way trading system during which goods (such as rum, textiles, firearms) were exchanged between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Slaves were a crucial component of this trade.

Abolition Movement: A social and political campaign aimed at ending slavery worldwide that gained momentum during the late 18th century and throughout the 19th century.