Slaves to Virginia – I

                Intro.: Dan Roberts and 'A Moment in Time,' with 'Jamestown - Journey of Democracy,' tracing the global advance of democratic ideals since the founding of Jamestown, Virginia in 1607.

                Content: Portugal was the first European country to explore the West African coastline. It was seeking a trade route around Africa to the rich spice islands of the Far East. In Africa, however, it found a another form of trade more lucrative and much more ominous, human chattel. Inter-tribal warfare among Africans had long before created traffic in slaves. The Portuguese, then Dutch and English merchants after them perfected the commerce in a way that was severely damaging to African societies.