The Portuguese Slave Trade: Empire Built on Human Cargo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the dark engine of Portugal's global empire: the slave trade. They trace its origins from the first African captives brought to Lisbon in 1444, through the development of the sugar plantation system on São Tomé, to the transatlantic slave trade that shipped millions to Brazil. Lucas explains the role of the Casa da Índia and the monopolies that made the trade a state enterprise, the brutal conditions on slave ships like the São João Bautista, and the moral debates among figures like Padre António Vieira. The conversation also covers the maroon settlements (quilombos) and the eventual abolition efforts led by figures like Joaquim Nabuco. Specific names and terms include: Gil Eanes, Lançarote de Freitas, Henry the Navigator, São Tomé, Cap Vert, Mina, Luanda, Benguela, Salvador da Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, Casa da Índia, Contrato de Escravos, quinto, almojarifazgo, São João Bautista, Ilhéus, Palmares, Zumbi, Mestre António, Padre António Vieira, Joaquim Nabuco, Lei Áurea, 1888. #Portugal #History #SlaveTrade #PortugueseEmpire #AtlanticSlaveTrade #SOTom #Brazil #Luanda #Slavery #Colonialism #Palmares #Zumbi #JoaquimNabuco #LeiUrea #CasaDaIndia #MiddlePassage #FexingoHistory #Podcast #AgeOfDiscovery #VascoDaGama Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo