Portuguese explorers began voyages south along the Atlantic coast of Africa. First the Portuguese established trading posts along the coast of West Africa, but gradually moved further south along the coast. This was the beginning of the African slave trade. The Europeans is different from the Arabs, they did not conduct raids themselves, but bought slaves from Arab slave brokers and African chiefs. Europeans built trading post and forts all along the coast of West Africa. The slaves were transported across the Atlantic Ocean primarily to Brazil, the West Indies and the English colonies in North America. As the demand for slaves expanded, whole areas of Africa were depopulated. The European African slave trade began during the mercantalist era. It continued well into the industrial era. In fact because African slaves played a major role in the industrial revolution in Europe.
I learned about this in French class! July 14 is Bastille Day in France (essentially like an independence day) because on that day, the French people stormed the Bastille prison. Hope this helps!
