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How Did Portugal Begin The Slave Trade

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The Atlantic Slave Trade was the trading of slaves across the Atlantic Ocean. It took place between the 16th and 19th centuries. It involved mainly Spain, Africa, Portugal, and France. The Atlantic Slave Trade linked Africa to the rest of the Atlantic World. Portugal had a major role in the Slave Trade. Portugal managed to take the lead in the Slave Trade by starting it. After beginning the Atlantic Slave Trade, Portugal continued it. Therefore, the ideas of the Slave Trade were spread, with Portugal as its main leader.

How did Portugal begin the Atlantic Slave Trade?
In 1441, Prince Henry, who was Portuguese, ordered an expedition to Africa. The expedition was to simply explore the continent. Its intentions were not to necessarily harm its people. However, by 1444, 235 Africans had been brought back to Portugal.1 They were used as slaves. Soon enough, the Portuguese realized they could buy and trade for slaves, instead of capturing them. It was an easier, more justified process. By the early 17th century, Portugal had a major role in trading enslaved Africans. In addition to trading with Africa, Portugal also traded with the Spanish. This led to the Portuguese enslaving more Africans. As demand went up, so did supply. Overall, there was a …show more content…

It combined the beliefs of Aristotle, the Arabs, and the Romans. According to Aristotle, people are born into slavery. Something, such as your race gender or social class, would decide whether you belonged as a slave or not. This concept was combined with the Arabian one that Africans are slaves. That is why most, if not all, of the slaves in the Atlantic Slave Trade are black. Finally, this was combined with the Roman idea of slaves working on plantations. The slaves in the Atlantic Slave Trade were used to obtain pleasure items such and tobacco, sugar, and coffee, all of which were made on

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