The content of this article comes from the Internet, if it is inconsistent with the actual situation or there is infringement, please contact to delete.
During the golden age of the slave trade in the Netherlands, the West India Company monopolized the industry. However, the details of the slave trade are full of twists and turns, uncertainty. This article takes you through a time tunnel in history, revealing the rivalry between the Netherlands and England over the Barbados slave trade and the impact of the implementation of the Navigation Act on that rivalry.
In 1639, the Dutch were still struggling to send slaves to Brazil, but the slave trade had been monopolized by the West India Company. It was not until after the Brazilian Revolt of 1645 that the West India Company allowed African slaves to be shipped to foreign colonies, with Barbados attracting attention for its high demand and lucrative slaves.
However, in the following years, few Dutch or Dutch smuggling ships sent slaves to Barbados. The Dutch governor of Elmina proposed to use Barbados as an alternate destination for slaves, but few ships actually carried it out. The ability of the Dutch to supply slaves was severely affected by the loss of Luanda in 1648, resulting in Barbados' demand for slaves being met by England.
During this period, England's slave trade in Barbados became more important than most historians believe. The English made a total of 20 voyages to Barbados slave transports, although we know very little about the first few years. Information provided by the Governor of Dutch Elmina also indicates that slaves transported to the British Caribbean between 1645 and 1647 were transported only by English ships. The Dutch also show that from 1652 to 1657, 75 slave traders from England were active on the Gold Coast. Therefore, Barbados' prosperity had little to do with the slave trade of the Dutch.
In fact, the key lies with the English merchants and local families in Barbados, who have had great success in the sugar industry. From the beginning, the families invested in sugar crop plantations, shifting their money from the production of cotton and tobacco to the sugar industry. The Dutch provided some help in the early days of the Barbados colony, but they were unable to build a large number of warehouses on the island, as Barbados had transitioned from a sugar economy, attracting many English merchants.
However, Dutch merchants still played a role in the Leeward Islands. However, over time, Dutch merchants began to comply with the Navigation Act. Instead of relying on Dutch agents, they worked with English agents to send ships disguised as English ships to Barbados for illegal but lucrative trading activities.
All in all, the implementation of the Navigation Act undermined the close ties between the Netherlands and the British American colonies. Although the Dutch played a role in the slave trade in the region, it was eventually England's merchants and families who became key factors in Barbados' sugar boom. This history teaches us that competition and legal changes can shape the landscape of international trade, and Barbados' success is not solely due to the Dutch.
The above content and materials are derived from the Internet, and the author of this article does not intend to target or allude to any real country, political system, organization, race, individual. The above does not mean that the author of this article endorses the laws, rules, opinions, behaviors in the article and is responsible for the authenticity of the relevant information. The author of this article is not responsible for any issues arising above or related to any of the above, nor does it assume any direct or indirect legal liability.