Before 1440, slavery was mostly confined to local regions and did not involve the mass transportation of people across vast distances. However, with the beginning of the Portuguese exploration of the African coast in the mid-15th century, a new era of slavery emerged characterized by the transatlantic slave trade. This trade entailed the forced transportation of millions of Africans to the Americas, Europe, and other parts of the world to serve as slave labour on plantations, in mines, and other industries.
Increased demand for labour in the Americas
The expansion of European colonies in the Americas, particularly in the Caribbean and Brazil, created a surge in demand for labour to work on sugar plantations and other agricultural enterprises. This demand drove the transatlantic slave trade, as European colonizers sought to exploit the labour of enslaved Africans to maximize their profits.
Technological advancements in sailing and navigation
Advancements in sailing technology, such as the development of the carrack and astrolabe, enabled European sailors to navigate more efficiently and safely across the Atlantic Ocean. These advancements facilitated the large-scale transportation of enslaved Africans across the ocean, contributing to the growth of the transatlantic slave trade.
Rise of capitalism and commercialization of slavery
The rise of capitalism and the expansion of trade led to the commercialization of slavery. Enslaved Africans became valuable commodities that were bought and sold for profit, fueling the economic interests of traders, merchants, and plantation owners.
Changing attitudes towards slavery
While slavery had existed in various forms for centuries, the 15th century marked a shift in attitudes towards slavery. European intellectuals and theologians increasingly justified slavery based on notions of racial inferiority and religious differences, which served to legitimize the transatlantic slave trade and the subsequent centuries of racial oppression.
Institutionalization of slavery in the Americas
As European colonies in the Americas became more established, legal frameworks and institutions were developed to regulate and maintain slavery. These laws and institutions served to solidify the social structure based on racial hierarchy, perpetuating the oppression of enslaved Africans and their descendants.
In summary, after 1440, slavery became characterized by large-scale involuntary migration of Africans through the transatlantic slave trade, primarily driven by economic incentives and racial prejudices. These developments would have profound and lasting consequences on the lives of millions of enslaved people and shape the societies and political dynamics of the Atlantic world for centuries to come