History of Europe

Which European nations were the biggest slave traders?

Portugal:

- Portugal was one of the earliest European countries to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, beginning in the 15th century.

- They established colonies in Africa, such as Angola and Mozambique, from where they transported millions of enslaved Africans to the Americas.

Spain:

- Spain also participated extensively in the slave trade, particularly during the 16th and 17th centuries.

- They controlled territories in the Americas, such as Cuba and Hispaniola, which became hubs for the slave trade.

Britain:

- Britain emerged as a major slave-trading nation in the 17th century and eventually became the largest slave trader by the 18th century.

- They established colonies in the Caribbean, such as Jamaica and Barbados, and were responsible for transporting millions of enslaved Africans to these colonies.

France:

- France was another significant slave-trading nation, especially during the 18th century.

- They had colonies in the Caribbean, such as Saint-Domingue (present-day Haiti), Martinique, and Guadeloupe, where enslaved Africans were forced to work on sugar plantations.

Netherlands:

- The Netherlands also played a role in the transatlantic slave trade, particularly in the 17th and 18th centuries.

- They controlled colonies in the Caribbean, such as Curaçao and Suriname, and were involved in the transportation of enslaved Africans to the Americas.