1. Known, collectively, as Bulls of Donation

2.  This bull is credited by many historians with “ushering in the West African slave trade”  Some historians view the 3 bulls together as extending the theological legacy of Pope Urban II’s Crusades to justify European colonization and expansionism  “We grant you [Kings of Portugal] by these present documents, with our Apostolic Authority, full and free permission to invade, search out, capture, and subjugate the Saracens, pagans, and any other unbelievers and enemies of Christ wherever they may be, as well as their kingdoms, duchies, counties, principalities, and other property […] and to reduce their persons into perpetual slavery….”

3.  Follow-up to Dum Diversas  Repeated the earlier Bull’s permission for the enslavement of all “pagans and enemies of Christ”  Primary purpose – to uphold rights of Portugal to colonization of these regions  Became the basis of legal arguments for taking of Native American lands in the “New World”  “The Roman Pontiff, successor to the key-bearer of the heavenly kingdom and vicar of Christ, contemplating with a father’s mind … and seeking and desiring the salvation of all, wholesomely ordains and disposes upon careful deliberation those things which he sees will be agreeable to the Divine Majesty and by which he may bring the sheep entrusted to him by God into the single divine fold, and may acquire for them the reward of eternal felicity, and obtain pardon for their souls.…”

4.  Marked true beginning of colonization and Catholic missions in the New World  “Among other works well pleasing to the Divine Majesty and cherished of our heart, this assuredly ranks highest, that in our times especially the Catholic faith and the Christian religion be exalted and be everywhere increased and spread, that the health of souls be cared for and that barbarous nations be overthrown and brought to the faith itself … we [the papacy] command you [Spain] … to instruct the aforesaid inhabitants and residents and dwellers therein in the Catholic faith, and train them in good morals.…”

5.  John Henrik Clarke, a noted African-American historian, scholar, and professor (1915-1998): ◦ Called the slave trade “the only forced mass migration in history” ◦ Characterized it as “Papally-sanctioned religious imperialism, whose sole motivation was greed accompanied by hatred and racism.” ◦ Lasted for almost 400 years – until end of American Civil War ◦ Between 30 to 60 million Africans subjected to this trade system ◦ Only one-third of them survived

6.  The European trade route is known as “the TRIANGULAR TRADE SYSTEM” ◦ 1 st leg: Europe to Africa ◦ 2 nd leg: Africa to the Americas (Middle Passage) ◦ 3 rd leg: Americas back to Europe  The Middle Passage was one part of the system – the voyage from Africa to the Americas ◦ Typically took 60-90 days ◦ More than half perished during the journey

7.  Oladauh Equiano – autobiographical report of a slave: The Interesting Narrative of Oladau Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, Written by Himself (1789)  Dr. Alexander Falconbridge – served as ship’s doctor on 3 different ships – wrote An Account of the Slave Trade on the Coast of Africa (1788) ◦ Became an abolitionist, vehemently opposed to entire institution of slavery as a result of his experiences

8.  Silencing of the Africans  Dehumanization  Disconnect slaves from their history, culture, religions, and languages to make them easier to subjugate  To limit their ability to communicate, separated tribes, families, people from the same geographical regions from one another  Forced conversion to Christianity