Chronological
landmarks about the slave trade and its abolition : the big stages
of the slave trade and of the abolition of Slavery
Chronology
of the slave trade
Chronology
of the abolition of Slavery
Chronology
of the slave tradeChronology
of the abolition of Slavery
Chronology of the slave trade
1454 : January 8th : Pope Nicolas V allowed the Portuguese King to practice trade ( between Africa and Portugal).
1492 : Christopher Columbus's first trip across the Atlantic ocean. Beginning of the Spanish conquest and colonisation . The Castilian Crown subsidised Christopher Columbus's trips until 1504. African Slaves were transported in caravels as early as the second trip .
1493
: Divide line between Spain and Portugal . Pope Alexander VI
Borgia's bulls .
1513 : Discovery of the Pacific Ocean by Vasco Nunez de Balboa .
1514 : The "Requerimiento".
1519 : Absolute egalitarianism of "Las Casas". No one can be neither slave by nature , nor a man without " freedom and power ". No people can be without sovereignty .
1513 : Discovery of the Pacific Ocean by Vasco Nunez de Balboa .
1514 : The "Requerimiento".
1519 : Absolute egalitarianism of "Las Casas". No one can be neither slave by nature , nor a man without " freedom and power ". No people can be without sovereignty .
a
bout 1525 : Beginning of "Indian parts" importation,
a systematic organization of the slave trade.
1526 : The Spanish Crown considered that Black slavery could be made to last a few years : each slave would become free after a while . Failure of this measure .
1530 : Charles V : first ban on Indian slavery .
1532 : Franciscans in Sao Vicente . First sugar cane plantation.
1526 : The Spanish Crown considered that Black slavery could be made to last a few years : each slave would become free after a while . Failure of this measure .
1530 : Charles V : first ban on Indian slavery .
1532 : Franciscans in Sao Vicente . First sugar cane plantation.
1537
: Following "Las Casas" and Spanish theologians, Pope
Jules III condemned all doubt about the full humanity of Indian people.
1550 : Charles V emancipated every slaves of the West Indies. But the system of "la encomienda" was put in practice.
1555 : French establishment in Brazil : Colonies of Villegaignan, and Rio de Janeiro.
1550 : Charles V emancipated every slaves of the West Indies. But the system of "la encomienda" was put in practice.
1555 : French establishment in Brazil : Colonies of Villegaignan, and Rio de Janeiro.
1567
: Expulsion of the French from Rio de Janeiro.
1570 : The Portuguese King , Don Sebastiao , forbade Indian slavery.
1573 : Total condemnation of the trade by Fray Bartolome de Albornoz . Rulings of the Spanish King Philip II : the term of "conquista" was replaced by the term of "pacificación".
1570 : The Portuguese King , Don Sebastiao , forbade Indian slavery.
1573 : Total condemnation of the trade by Fray Bartolome de Albornoz . Rulings of the Spanish King Philip II : the term of "conquista" was replaced by the term of "pacificación".
| 1584
: 120 sugar companies in Brazil. 1595 : four sugar refineries in Holland. 1600 : The East Indies Company (English) . 1602 : The East Indies Company (Dutch) . |
 |
1604-1606 : English attempts at colonizing Guyana.
1612 : Partial occupation of the Guinea coasts by the Dutch.
1612-1614 : The French try to occupy the Maranhao.
1617
: The West Indies Company (Dutch).
1620 : First arrivals of African slaves in the English continental colonies.
1622-1629 : Sugar refineries in Holland.
1623 : Mixed with the Dutch migrants, Walloons, French and German people landed in the New World.
1620 : First arrivals of African slaves in the English continental colonies.
1622-1629 : Sugar refineries in Holland.
1623 : Mixed with the Dutch migrants, Walloons, French and German people landed in the New World.
1625 : Records of a crossing. In 5 Portuguese ships,
on 1211 African slaves, 583 of them died during the trip and 68 few days
after the arrival . French and English shared out the island of St Christopher.
1626 : Richelieu gave his agreement to the colonization of Guyana.
1627 : Richelieu : the French colonization had to be based on catholic principles and to aim at a missionary expansion.
1626 : Richelieu gave his agreement to the colonization of Guyana.
1627 : Richelieu : the French colonization had to be based on catholic principles and to aim at a missionary expansion.
1635
: American Islands' Company (French). From 1635 to 1680 : White
women were sent to the French plantations in the West Indies.
1637 : Holland organized the import of Black slaves.
1638 : Forecasts appearing in a contract regarding the transport of Africans to America : a mortality rate of
10 % was planned.
1637 : Holland organized the import of Black slaves.
1638 : Forecasts appearing in a contract regarding the transport of Africans to America : a mortality rate of
10 % was planned.
1650
: End of the American islands' company. The
conv
eyance
of White women was stopped temporarily..
1654 : The New-England English people occupied Acadia.
1660
: Martinique : the tobacco plantations' workers
rebelled.
1663 : Under Colbert : the New-France was linked to the Crown.
1664 : Until that date, the Dutch exported unrefined sugar from the French islands, that they refined. Colbert created the West Indies company . Foundation of the East Indies Company.
1663 : Under Colbert : the New-France was linked to the Crown.
1664 : Until that date, the Dutch exported unrefined sugar from the French islands, that they refined. Colbert created the West Indies company . Foundation of the East Indies Company.
1667
: Acadia was given back to France.
1670 : Colbert told De Baas that he didn't agree with the forced recruitment of immigrants. He reduced work time for "engaged" people.
1672 : Royal African Company organization (English).
1670 : Colbert told De Baas that he didn't agree with the forced recruitment of immigrants. He reduced work time for "engaged" people.
1672 : Royal African Company organization (English).
1674 : Tobacco is made State monopoly in France.
1678 : 27,000 slaves in the French West Indies.
1682 et 1683 : Patoulet and Begon 's statement of case. (basis to the Black Code 's redaction).
1683
: 30 sugar refineries in France. 25 catholic parishes in French-America.
In the West Indies, persecution of Jews and "religionnarians"
without leading to their expulsion.
1684 : France forbade the setting up of new sugar refineries in the colonies. The Guinea Company - French- conveyed Black people to the West Indies and French Guyana.
1685 : The Black Code.
1684 : France forbade the setting up of new sugar refineries in the colonies. The Guinea Company - French- conveyed Black people to the West Indies and French Guyana.
1685 : The Black Code.
1686
: Until 1806 : Black slaves in Canada, but not many.
1697 : French occupation of the Western part of Santo-Domingo.
1698 : French people in Louisiana. Agreement between the St-Domingo and the Guinea company to boost slave trade and to bring more Blacks to St-Domingo.
1697 : French occupation of the Western part of Santo-Domingo.
1698 : French people in Louisiana. Agreement between the St-Domingo and the Guinea company to boost slave trade and to bring more Blacks to St-Domingo.
1699
: "Engaged" people were submitted again to a thirty-six
month "contract".
1700 : Constitution of a company to manage the French-American trade monopoly. In St-Domingo, 500 emancipated people, 9000 slaves; in Guadeloupe, 239 emancipated people, 4780 slaves ; in Martinique, 507 emancipated people, 14566 slaves.
1701 : France obtained "the asiento" (supplying exclusivity for black slaves in the Spanish colonies). From that
1700 : Constitution of a company to manage the French-American trade monopoly. In St-Domingo, 500 emancipated people, 9000 slaves; in Guadeloupe, 239 emancipated people, 4780 slaves ; in Martinique, 507 emancipated people, 14566 slaves.
1701 : France obtained "the asiento" (supplying exclusivity for black slaves in the Spanish colonies). From that
date
and until the year 1713, the French Company of Guyana delivered slaves
to Venezuela in exchange for cocoa.
1705 : St-Domingo : castration was proposed as a legal punishment for slaves, the crown rejected this proposal.
1709 : Louis XIV said that the War of Succession in Spain was due to the trade with the West Indies.
1705 : St-Domingo : castration was proposed as a legal punishment for slaves, the crown rejected this proposal.
1709 : Louis XIV said that the War of Succession in Spain was due to the trade with the West Indies.
1712
: Creation of the second Louisiana Company.
1713 : In the French colonies, Regulations which required the governor's and intendant's written permission to emancipate a slave. Banning of equal christening for free people and children whose mother was a slave.
1715 : Beginning of coffee growing in St-Domingo.
1713 : In the French colonies, Regulations which required the governor's and intendant's written permission to emancipate a slave. Banning of equal christening for free people and children whose mother was a slave.
1715 : Beginning of coffee growing in St-Domingo.
1716
: Rules about the slaves living in metropolitan France.
1719 : Creation of the Indies Company (French).
1721 : coffee growing in Martinique. To be allowed to emancipate a slave, his master had to be 25 years old at least.
1719 : Creation of the Indies Company (French).
1721 : coffee growing in Martinique. To be allowed to emancipate a slave, his master had to be 25 years old at least.
1724
: Black code revision for Louisiana.
1726 : St-Domingo : 130,000 inhabitants, 100,000 of them were slaves.
1730 : From that year to 1780, the African slave trade was at its height, all over the American continent.
1738 : Rules about the slaves' living conditions in France were hardened.
1726 : St-Domingo : 130,000 inhabitants, 100,000 of them were slaves.
1730 : From that year to 1780, the African slave trade was at its height, all over the American continent.
1738 : Rules about the slaves' living conditions in France were hardened.
1746-1774
: Mortality rate aboard the slave ships (harbour of Nantes) :
between 5% and 34 %.
about 1750 : Macandal's epic, who will be executed in January 1758.
1751 : The Jesuits introduced sugar cane and Black people in New Orleans. Until 1791, extension of sugar growing in Louisiana.
about 1750 : Macandal's epic, who will be executed in January 1758.
1751 : The Jesuits introduced sugar cane and Black people in New Orleans. Until 1791, extension of sugar growing in Louisiana.
1753
: St-Domingo : 172,000 inhabitants, 154,000 of them were slaves.
1754 : 300,000 slaves in the French West Indies.
1759 : Creation in the West Indies of the chambers of Trade and Industry which will have a representation in Versailles.
1754 : 300,000 slaves in the French West Indies.
1759 : Creation in the West Indies of the chambers of Trade and Industry which will have a representation in Versailles.
About 1770 : LThe French West Indies settlers seemed to be interested in slaves marriages and in birth rate. But this birth rate was of 0,8-0,9 % on average ; mortality : between 10 and 12 % a year. From that date, the French were more involved in slave trade than Portuguese and English people.
1774 : The "thirty six months" engaging system was definitively suppressed.
1775
: Beginning of the Wars of Independence in America (until 1825).
1777 : A new Cayenne Company. The Vermont Assembly pronounced the legal abolition of slavery. Slaves stays in France were totally forbidden.
1778 : St Domingo 288,800 inhabitants among whom 7,055 free coloured people and 249,000 slaves.
1777 : A new Cayenne Company. The Vermont Assembly pronounced the legal abolition of slavery. Slaves stays in France were totally forbidden.
1778 : St Domingo 288,800 inhabitants among whom 7,055 free coloured people and 249,000 slaves.
1779
: The New-York Assembly abolished slavery . In the French West
Indies, a lack of respecting towards White people implied a loss of freedom
for emancipated slaves.
1780 : 673,000 slaves in the French West Indies. In Pennsylvania, slavery abolition was confirmed.
1783 : Slavery abolition in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
1780 : 673,000 slaves in the French West Indies. In Pennsylvania, slavery abolition was confirmed.
1783 : Slavery abolition in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
1784
: Slavery abolition by the assemblies of Connecticut and Rhode
Island. In the French West Indies, special birth and death register for
the Blacks. No need for an official recognition.
1785 : French Indies Company's restructuring. The Black Code was 100 years old.
1786 : King Louis XVI ordered to improve the slaves' fate (break between 12 and 14 pm and from sunset to sunrise).
1785 : French Indies Company's restructuring. The Black Code was 100 years old.
1786 : King Louis XVI ordered to improve the slaves' fate (break between 12 and 14 pm and from sunset to sunrise).
1787
: Beginnings of the Abolition movement in Canada. Colonial Assembly
in Martinique and Guadeloupe. Official constitution of the United-States.
Slavery abolition by the North-West Territory's Assembly.
1788 : France : Creation of the society of black people's friends.
1789 : St-Domingo : 523,000 inhabitants, among whom 27,548 free coloured people and 465,400 slaves.
700,000 slaves in the French West Indies. In St-Domingo, creation of an electoral assembly and a military
1788 : France : Creation of the society of black people's friends.
1789 : St-Domingo : 523,000 inhabitants, among whom 27,548 free coloured people and 465,400 slaves.
700,000 slaves in the French West Indies. In St-Domingo, creation of an electoral assembly and a military
government. In France, the storming of the Bastille.
1790 : 8th of March : the constituent assembly considered colonies as being part of the French Empire. 25th of March : the colonial assembly of St-Marc proclaimed itself to be the general assembly of St Domingo. 28th of March : instructions about the Bills prepared in the French colonial assembly. Beginning of the uprising in St Domingo.
1790 : 8th of March : the constituent assembly considered colonies as being part of the French Empire. 25th of March : the colonial assembly of St-Marc proclaimed itself to be the general assembly of St Domingo. 28th of March : instructions about the Bills prepared in the French colonial assembly. Beginning of the uprising in St Domingo.
1791
: 3rd of September: French constitution. 22nd of September: navigation
law keeping the principle of the exclusive system about trade between
France and its colonies. 15th of May: statutes about coloured people's
rights ; 23rd of June: the constituent assembly linked the colonies to
the metropolis. August: Black slaves revolt in Santo-Domingo. 24th of
September: the Assembly entrusted the colonial assemblies with the task
of producing laws relatives to the "non-free" people's status..
1792 : 21st of September : Proclamation of the Republic.
1792 : 21st of September : Proclamation of the Republic.
1793
: Suppression, by the convention, of subsidies given to slave
trade ship-owners. 29th of August: Toussaint Louverture imposed the Abolition
of Slavery in St Domingo to Sonthonax.
1794, 4th of February: the convention decreed the Abolition of Slavery in every colonies. The decree was not applied.
1802 : The 30th of Floral year 10, the abolition decrees were cancelled. Return to the Black Code.
1794, 4th of February: the convention decreed the Abolition of Slavery in every colonies. The decree was not applied.
1802 : The 30th of Floral year 10, the abolition decrees were cancelled. Return to the Black Code.
There
were only few moments when the unfortunate passengers could escape from
the storage and its stifting atmosphre. Yet, small groups went up on the
deck and some of them were released from their chains; they were watered
and fed. This "breath of fresh air" lasted a few minutes, once
or twice a day, in theory.
1803
: Louisiana was sold to the United States. April: Death of Toussaint
Louverture. November: Proclamation of the independence of Haiti.
1804 : The New Jersey's Assembly abolished Slavery.
1805 : In France, the civil code was set up. In the West Indies and colonies: reasserting of the Black Code.
1804 : The New Jersey's Assembly abolished Slavery.
1805 : In France, the civil code was set up. In the West Indies and colonies: reasserting of the Black Code.
1807
: Official end of the slave trade in the United States. Strong
activity, until 1833, to end up with the slave trade.
1818 : Reinforcement of the banning of Black people in France.
1820 : American Blacks returned to Africa : Liberia.
1818 : Reinforcement of the banning of Black people in France.
1820 : American Blacks returned to Africa : Liberia.
1825
: From that date to 1850, Great Britain negotiated a dozen of
treaties to continue its slave trade in America.
1829 : Legal abolition of slavery in Mexico (independent since 1821).
1833 : Martinique and Guadeloupe : The right to vote was reserved to White people. Abolition of Slavery in English colonies.
1829 : Legal abolition of slavery in Mexico (independent since 1821).
1833 : Martinique and Guadeloupe : The right to vote was reserved to White people. Abolition of Slavery in English colonies.
1845
: In the French West Indies, corporal punishment
were limited, and Black slaves obtained the right to save money to buy
their freedom.
1847 : Slavery abolition in Denmark.
1848 : 4th of March and 27th of April: Slavery Abolition in France. 163 years after its publication, the Black code had lived enough.
1847 : Slavery abolition in Denmark.
1848 : 4th of March and 27th of April: Slavery Abolition in France. 163 years after its publication, the Black code had lived enough.
1850
: Official end of the slave trade in Brazil . It had imported
until that date some 3,600,000 Black slaves.
1860 : An underground trade carried on in America. In 15 states of the Union, Slavery was not already abolished.
1861 : Until that date, and from 1852, the French trade continued with profit for the West Indies and Reunion.
1860 : An underground trade carried on in America. In 15 states of the Union, Slavery was not already abolished.
1861 : Until that date, and from 1852, the French trade continued with profit for the West Indies and Reunion.
1863 : Abolition measures in the Dutch West Indies Constitution.
1873 : Trade abolition in the Spanish colony of Puerto Rico.
1880 : Slavery abolition in Cuba, a Spanish colony.
1885
: (Bicentenary of the Black Code). France and Germany convened
the European powers and the United States of America to the Conference
of Berlin: To lay hands on Africa, to share the Australian continent,
and to condemn the slave trade.
1929 : Opening of the French settlement's exhibition in Vincennes.
1985 : Tercentenary of the Black Code, totally ignored by French press, radio, and TV.
1929 : Opening of the French settlement's exhibition in Vincennes.
1985 : Tercentenary of the Black Code, totally ignored by French press, radio, and TV.
Proposal
of the French government in view of granting 'freedom" and "independence
" to the Kanaks. In Nantes, commemoration of the tercentenary. In
the same city, reception of the ambassador of South-Africa.
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1802
: Restoring of slave trade and Slavery by Napoléon Bonaparte,
in accordance with the legislation previous to 1789.
1815 : Decision of the Abolition of the slave trade by European powers in the conference of Vienna.
1822 : Santo Domingo.
1815 : Decision of the Abolition of the slave trade by European powers in the conference of Vienna.
1822 : Santo Domingo.
1823
: Chile.
1826 : Bolivia.
1829 : Mexico.
1833-1838 : British colonies of the West Indies ( Eastern Caribbean islands, Jamaica, Trinidad, Honduras and
1826 : Bolivia.
1829 : Mexico.
1833-1838 : British colonies of the West Indies ( Eastern Caribbean islands, Jamaica, Trinidad, Honduras and
British
Guyana) and Mauritius (a former French island).
1846-1848 : Danish Virgin Islands colonies (Sainte-Croix, Saint-Jean, Saint-Thomas).
1847 : Saint-Barthélémy (Sweden).
1848 : French colonies (Guadeloupe, Martinique, French part of Saint-Martin, French Guyana and the
1846-1848 : Danish Virgin Islands colonies (Sainte-Croix, Saint-Jean, Saint-Thomas).
1847 : Saint-Barthélémy (Sweden).
1848 : French colonies (Guadeloupe, Martinique, French part of Saint-Martin, French Guyana and the
1851 : Colombia.
1853 : Argentina.
1854 : Venezuela.
1855
: Peru.
1863 : Dutch Colonies of the Caribbean (Curaçoa, Bonaire, Aruba, Saba, Saint-Eustache, Dutch part of Saint-Martin, Dutch Guyana) and Insulinde.
1863-1865 : The United States ( in the South, and then in the whole Union).
1863 : Dutch Colonies of the Caribbean (Curaçoa, Bonaire, Aruba, Saba, Saint-Eustache, Dutch part of Saint-Martin, Dutch Guyana) and Insulinde.
1863-1865 : The United States ( in the South, and then in the whole Union).
1876 : Turkey.
1885 : Conference of Berlin and measures against Slavery.
1886 : Cuba.
1890 : Second Conference of Berlin about Slavery in Africa.
1926 : International convention about Slavery.
1948 : Article 4 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, confirmed by the convention of 1956.
On February 4th 1794, the convention decreed the Abolition of Slavery.
"Let's put this fault right, citizens, let's proclaim today the
freedom for Black people"
