Slavery has existed for thousands of years and was practised by all the dominant civilisations in history. From the 13th to the 18th century, European slaves were taken from the southern coasts of Europe and the western coast of Europe up to and including north-west France, southwest England and Ireland: They were taken by the Barbary pirates in what was known as the white slave trade and they "disappeared" into Africa.
It became a major commercial activity for European countries from the late 16th to the early 19th century. The English made it illegal and used their navy to fight it and eventually it became illegal in the US after the Civil War. It still goes on today in Africa and it operates illegally in Europe, particularly in the sex trade.
It became a major commercial activity for European countries from the late 16th to the early 19th century. The English made it illegal and used their navy to fight it and eventually it became illegal in the US after the Civil War. It still goes on today in Africa and it operates illegally in Europe, particularly in the sex trade.
