The Asiento: Spain's Slave Trade Empire

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the asiento de negros — the system of monopoly contracts that supplied enslaved Africans to Spanish America. They trace its origins from the 1518 grant to Lorenzo de Gorrevod to the Portuguese and Dutch periods, and delve into the infamous British South Sea Company's asiento after the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. The conversation covers the mechanics of the slave trade, including the role of Cartagena de Indias as a key port, the horrors of the Middle Passage, and the economic motivations of European powers. Lucas explains how the asiento was not just a commercial deal but a state-sponsored enterprise that underpinned colonial economies, leading to the mass forced migration of millions. The episode also touches on resistance, the decline of the system in the late 18th century, and its legacy. The discussion is tied to the broader theme of European colonialism, offering a focused look at a crucial but often overlooked institution. #Asiento #SlaveTrade #SpanishEmpire #TreatyOfUtrecht #SouthSeaCompany #CartagenaDeIndias #MiddlePassage #Colonialism #AtlanticHistory #LorenzoDeGorrevod #Portugal #Dutch #BritishEmpire #Slavery #EarlyModern #History #FexingoHistory #WorldHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo