15th Century

  • 1441

    Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal sends a trading expedition to Africa.

  • 1444

    235 African slaves, mainly from what is now Mauritania, land in Lagos, Portugal

  • 1447

    Portuguese crew is killed by local people at Gorée: negotiated slave trading treaties with African rulers becomes the normal practice, rather than kidnapping

  • 1460

    Portuguese crew is killed by local people at Gorée: negotiated slave trading treaties with African rulers becomes the normal practice, rather than kidnapping

  • 1462

    Pope Pius II declares that baptised Africans should not be enslaved

  • 1480

    Spanish Queen of Castille recognises the Portuguese monopoly in slave trade with African coast

  • 1481

    Portuguese build the first slave fortress at Elmina (Ghana)

  • 1486

    Portuguese first visit 'the great city of Benin' (now in Nigeria)

  • 1492

    Columbus's voyage to the 'New World', landing in the Bahamas

  • 1494

    Columbus' 2nd voyage, landing in Jamaica

  • 1497

    John Cabot sails from Bristol to the North American mainland