16th Century

King Ferdinand of Spain authorizes a shipment of 50 African slaves to be sent to Santo Domingo, which starts the systematic transportation of African slaves to the New World.

Columbus’s son, Diego Cólon, becomes governor of the new Spanish empire in the Caribbean. He soon complains that Native American slaves do not work hard enough.

More than 200 slaves taken from the northern coast of South America by Amerigo Vespucci and Alonso de Hojeda and sold in Cádiz.

A small group of Africans are brought to the court of King James IV of Scotland.

Spanish and Portuguese bring African slaves to the Caribbean and Central America to replace Native Americans in the gold mines.

More than 200 slaves taken from the northern coast of South America by Amerigo Vespucci and Alonso de Hojeda and sold in Cádiz.

More than 200 slaves taken from the northern coast of South America by Amerigo Vespucci and Alonso de Hojeda and sold in Cádiz.

Under the Royal Assent by Commission Act of 1541, a colonial assembly was required to secure the King’s permission unto any colonial statutes and laws.