4. White Slaves - Black Slaves - How Many?
Published by Campbell M Gold in Historical · Thursday 15 May 2025 · 3:00
Tags: Atlantic, slave, trade, white, slaves, black, slaves, history, demographics, enslaved, research, numbers, slavery, centuries
Tags: Atlantic, slave, trade, white, slaves, black, slaves, history, demographics, enslaved, research, numbers, slavery, centuries
White Slaves - Black Slaves - How Many?
Introduction
The Atlantic slave trade was a significant part of history that spanned several centuries:
- Beginnings: The trade began in the 15th century when Europeans started establishing coastal slave trading posts in Africa.
- Major Period: The most active phase of the Atlantic slave trade occurred from approximately 1526 to 1867. During this time, both blacks and whites were enslaved.
- Abolition: The trade began to decline in the late 18th century, with various countries abolishing the slave trade, culminating in the 19th century when it was officially ended in many places.
White Slaves
- Around 1 to 1.25 million White Europeans were enslaved by the Barbary Pirates from the 16th to 19th centuries, with some estimates reaching 1.5 million.
- Captives included men, women, and children, primarily from coastal areas like Italy, Spain, France, England, Ireland, and Iceland.
- Many captives were sailors, fishermen, and coastal villagers, with significant numbers from Mediterranean countries.
The enslaved population included white men, women, and children, with a significant proportion being sailors and crews taken from ships, as well as fishermen and coastal villagers. They were primarily from European Christian communities, with notable captures from Italy, Spain, France, England, Ireland, and Iceland.
Black Slaves
- Around 390,000 African slaves were imported directly to the United States through the transatlantic slave trade.
- This number reflects those brought directly from Africa, with the total slave population growing to about 4 million by 1860, primarily through natural increase.
Demographics
The term "African slaves" refers to those born in Africa and imported to the U.S., as opposed to slaves born in America, who are often referred to as "American-born" or "creole" slaves.
The transatlantic slave trade involved capturing Africans, primarily from West and Central Africa, and transporting them across the Atlantic, with the majority (over 90%) going to the Caribbean and South America, and only a small fraction to North America.
Conclusion
During the Transatlantic Slave Trade years, more whites (c.1.5 million) were enslaved than blacks (c.390,000). Perhaps white lives do matter as much as black lives where slavery is considered.
Sources
- Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters: White Slavery in the Mediterranean, The Barbary Coast, and Italy, 1500-1800 | Department of History
- Barbary slave trade comprehensive overview
- Remembering the Barbary Slaves: White Slaves and North African Pirates, a detailed analysis.
- The forgotten slaves of the West Country historical perspective
- When Britons Were Slaves In Africa: The People Enslaved By Barbary Pirates historical insight
- Research Reveals Massive Extent Of Slavery Between Muslims, Christians For Three Centuries academic study
- Research Suggests White Slavery Was Much More Common Historical Comparison
- Barbary pirates historical context
- BBC - History - British History in depth: British Slaves on the Barbary Coast historical narrative
- Barbary Pirates and English Slaves Historical Account
- Slavery on the Barbary Coast Detailed Overview
- Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters book review and summary
- How Many Slaves Landed in the U.S.: A Historical Analysis
- Slaves brought from Africa to the U.S.: statistical data
- Historical Context: Facts about the Slave Trade educational resource
- North American Context: slavery in the colonies - A detailed study
- How Many Africans Were Taken to the U.S.: A Historical Perspective
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