The Transatlantic Slave Trade

From the 1500s to the 1800s, millions of African people were captured and forced onto ships. They were taken across the Atlantic Ocean to work as slaves in the Americas. This terrible trade lasted for over 300 years. It is one of the darkest chapters in human history.

The Middle Passage

The journey across the Atlantic was called the Middle Passage. Captured Africans were packed tightly into ships. The voyage took weeks or even months. Many people did not survive the terrible conditions on the ships. Those who survived faced a life of hard labor with no freedom.

Legacy and Abolition

About 12.5 million Africans were forced onto slave ships over 300 years. Enslaved people built much of the wealth in the Americas through their labor. Over time, abolitionists fought to end the slave trade. Britain banned it in 1807, and other countries followed. The effects of slavery are still felt today.

Important Facts

• About 12.5 million Africans were transported across the Atlantic during the slave trade.
• The triangular trade route connected Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
• Denmark was the first European country to ban the slave trade in 1803.

Did You Know?

Enslaved Africans brought with them rich traditions of music, food, and storytelling that became important parts of American culture.