Timeline: Role of the colonial powers in the establishment and expansion of slavery; asiento system

October 12, 1492: Columbus lands in the New World

November 20, 1542: New Laws of the Indies for the Good Treatment and Preservation of the Indians issued

June 7, 1494: Treaty of Tordesillas signed

February 17, 1627: First English settlements on Barbados

May 14, 1607: English found Jamestown

1420: Portuguese start colonizing Madeira

December 21, 1471: Portuguese discover Sao Tome

1670s: Residents of Barbados move to South Carolina

1518: Spanish crown issues first asiento

1580s: Asiento system starts to become more widespread

October 5, 1750: England gives up its right to the Spanish asiento

July 13, 1713: English obtain asiento in Treaty of Utrecht