what gave Portugal in advantage in the slave trade
There were a few factors that provided Portugal with an advantage in the slave trade:
1. Maritime expertise: Portuguese explorers like Vasco da Gama established trade routes to Africa and had extensive knowledge of maritime navigation. This enabled them to easily access the African coast and transport slaves across the Atlantic Ocean.
2. Strong naval power: Portugal had a formidable navy that could protect their trade routes and defend their interests in the African slave trade. This naval power allowed them to assert control over trade ports and establish forts along the African coast, giving them an advantage over other European powers.
3. Treaty of Tordesillas: The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494 between Spain and Portugal, divided the newly discovered lands outside of Europe between these two powers. This gave Portugal exclusive rights to establish trade and exploration along the western coast of Africa, providing them with a monopoly over the slave trade in this region.
4. Exploiting local alliances: Portuguese traders formed alliances with African kingdoms and local rulers to establish trading posts and gain a foothold in the slave trade. This helped in acquiring slaves from the interior regions of Africa and transporting them to the coast for sale.
5. Innovation in slave transportation: The Portuguese developed new technologies and techniques for transporting slaves, including the use of smaller and faster ships known as caravels. These ships were specifically designed for slave transportation and enabled the Portuguese to transport large numbers of slaves more efficiently than other European powers.
It is important to note that while Portugal had an advantage in the slave trade during certain periods, other European powers such as Spain, France, England, and the Netherlands also participated in and profited from the transatlantic slave trade.