How long did the West African slave trade last?

I'm in AP US History right now, and I'm definitely not all knowing so here goes I guess. West African slave trade emerged largely during colonial America due to a need of labor as well as due to a desire to not do physical labor. However, the institution of slavery did not originate from America. read more

The West African slave trade lasted from the time the Portuguese first entered it until slavery was abolished in the New World. The Portuguese were taking slaves from Africa before 1492. After 1492, the demand for slaves and the slave trade increased exponentially. read more

The last country to ban the Atlantic slave trade was Brazil in 1831. However, a vibrant illegal trade continued to ship large numbers of enslaved people to Brazil and also to Cuba until the 1860s, when British enforcement and further diplomacy finally ended the Atlantic slave trade. read more

Africa: Africans didn't own land, acquired slaves were a symbol of power, those born of slaves were born free, slaves were many times treated as part of the family, some slaves were used as sacrificial offerings. read more