In which century did the European-African slave trade expand significantly?

In which century did the European-African slave trade expand significantly?

• A. 15th century
• B. 12th century
• C. 17th century
• D. 19th century

Answer: (A)

Expansion of the European-African slave trade begins with the early Atlantic exchange in the 15th century, when European explorers, led by Portugal, pushed along the West African coast, set up trading posts, and transported enslaved people to Europe and Atlantic colonies. This marks the moment when the trade shifts from scattered, limited exchanges to a connected, transoceanic system that would grow even more in later centuries. While the trade then expands further and becomes enormous in the 16th through 18th centuries, the 15th century is the period when the expansion truly starts. The 12th century predates large-scale European involvement, the 17th century sees the trade at very high volumes but after its beginnings, and the 19th century is dominated by abolition efforts and the decline of the trade.

Expansion of the European-African slave trade begins with the early Atlantic exchange in the 15th century, when European explorers, led by Portugal, pushed along the West African coast, set up trading posts, and transported enslaved people to Europe and Atlantic colonies. This marks the moment when the trade shifts from scattered, limited exchanges to a connected, transoceanic system that would grow even more in later centuries. While the trade then expands further and becomes enormous in the 16th through 18th centuries, the 15th century is the period when the expansion truly starts. The 12th century predates large-scale European involvement, the 17th century sees the trade at very high volumes but after its beginnings, and the 19th century is dominated by abolition efforts and the decline of the trade.