Slavery, the Horror of No Return

The history of the slave trade between Africa and the Americas between the 16th and 19th centuries is still full of unknowns, due to the nature of the business itself which was often clandestine.

The total number of slaves sent to the New World during this period of over 300 years is still not exactly known, as the calculations of different authors range from 10 to 20 million - without counting those who died on route, from epidemics, illnesses or ill-treatment.

According to estimates at least 25% never disembarked in the Americas.

When in the 19th century an agreement was reached to end the trade and English ships began to patrol the Atlantic to ensure compliance, the cargo of slave ships was simply thrown into the sea to avoid their being discovered.

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