---
title: Slave Trade
author: George Morland
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20884/slave-trade/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2025-08-31
---
# Slave Trade
_Authored by George Morland_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20884.png)
## Image Caption
*Execrable Human Traffick, or The Affectionate Slaves*, oil on canvas by George Morland, c. 1788.
Depicted here is a scene of a man being abducted by slavers on the coast of [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/) as his family watches. From the 16th to the 19th century, European slave traders brought more than 12 million people, primarily from West and Central Africa, across the Atlantic to the Americas, where they faced brutal and dehumanizing treatment in the colonies.
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and [Culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/culture/), Washington, D.C.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Morland, G. (2025, August 22). Slave Trade. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Morland, George. "Slave Trade." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 22, 2025. .
### MLA
Morland, George. "Slave Trade." *World History Encyclopedia*, 22 Aug 2025, .
## License & Copyright
[Original image](https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2010.8.1ab?destination=/explore/collection/search%3Fedan_q%3Dslavery%26edan_fq%255B0%255D%3Dobject_type%253A%2522Paintings%2522) by **George Morland**. Submitted by [Zachary Kay](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/zacharykay/ "User Page: Zachary Kay"), published on 22 August 2025. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.