16th Century

Francis Bacon writes On Plantations which becomes an important early text of British colonial discourse.

Queen Elizabeth I of England sends a letter complaining about the number of blacks in the realm by which a group of slaves were rounded up and given to a German slave trader, Caspar van Senden, in ‘payment’ for duties he had performed.

Philip II of Spain grants Pedro Gomes Reinal, a Portuguese merchant, a near monopoly in the slave trade. Reinal agrees to provide Spanish America with 4250 African slaves annually, with a further 1000 slaves being provided by other merchants.

L’Espérance of La Rochelle becomes the first French ship positively identified as participating in the slave trade.

Bernard Ericks becomes the first Dutch slave trader.

The failure of the Spanish Armada (an intended Spanish invasion of England, largely destroyed by bad weather) provides a boost for English maritime power and for English colonial ambitions.

A second English colony is founded at Roanoke Island, again organized by Sir Walter Raleigh. When it is revisited by English ships in August 1590, it has vanished without trace.

The first English colony in the New World is established at Roanoke Island (modern North Carolina), organized by Sir Walter Raleigh and governed by Ralph Lane. It was not successful, and the colonists withdrew in June 1586.

Elizabeth, Queen of England, signs a charter allowing Charter to Sir Walter Raleigh to discover, search, find out, and view such remote, heathen and barbarous lands, countries, and territories, not actually possessed of any Christian Prince, nor inhabited by Christian People.

First enslaved Africans arrive in Florida.

Following the death of King Henry of Portugal, Spain and Portugal are united under Philip II of Spain. Spain thus becomes the most important colonial power – and the largest participant in the slave trade.