9.1.1

Beginnings of the Slave Trade

Test yourself on Beginnings of the Slave Trade

After reading these notes, test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Beginnings of the Slave Trade

The slave trade began in the 15th century. It dominated the world for centuries. Slaves were captured by slave traders and sold, or captured by local people before being sold to slave traders.

Portugal and slavery

Portugal and slavery

  • Portuguese traders began the slave trade in the 15th century.
  • The traders took slaves from West Africa to newly conquered colonies in the Americas.
Britain and slavery

Britain and slavery

  • Britain conquered areas such as Barbados and Jamaica in the 15th century.
  • In 1672, the Royal African Company was established.
    • This was responsible for organising the trade between African slaves and plantation (an area of land where crops are grown) owners.
The Treaty of Utrecht

The Treaty of Utrecht

  • After the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, British involvement in the slave trade increased.
    • The treaty allowed slaves to be sold by the British to the Spanish Empire.
    • Between 1640 and 1807, when the slave trade was officially abolished, 3.1 million slaves are estimated to have been traded through British colonies. Slaves were crammed onto ships in inhumane conditions and between 10% and 20% are thought to have died on the journey alone.
The need for slaves in the Americas

The need for slaves in the Americas

  • In the South of the USA, the crops that were grown were very labour intensive (tobacco, sugar, and indigo).
  • Eventually, the supply of indentured servants was insufficient to meet the demand, and these workers only served for periods of three to seven years.
  • A more permanent labor supply was needed: African slaves.
Jump to other topics
1

Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1

The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2

The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3

The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4

The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5

Medieval Religion

1.6

The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7

How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8

Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9

Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10

Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11

Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12

European Renaissance

1.13

Norman Conquest & Control

1.14

Historical Skills

2

The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1

Anglo-Saxon England

2.2

The Contest for the English Throne

2.3

Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4

King John

2.5

The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6

The Black Death

3

Worldviews

4

The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5

The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6

The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7

The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8

Religion in the Middle Ages

9

Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10

The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11

The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12

US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13

The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14

The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15

Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16

World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17

The Russian Revolution: 1917 AD

18

The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

19

World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

20

The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

21

Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

Practice questions on Beginnings of the Slave Trade

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
Answer all questions on Beginnings of the Slave Trade

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium