jan 1, 1580 - 1580s: Asiento system starts to become more widespread
Description:
Because Native Americans were no longer the most economically sound choice for plantation labor, Spanish colonists turned to African slaves. This caused the asiento system, or more specifically the slave trade, to boom. Portuguese merchants obtained most of the asiento contracts at this time because the slave coast was mostly Portuguese colonies.
Added to timeline:
Timeline: Role of the colonial powers in the establishment and expansion of slavery; asiento system
Date:
