Final answer:
The Portuguese initiated the Trans-Atlantic slave trade in 1441, with the Dutch taking control in the 1630s. Ultimately, it was England that secured dominance after two 17th-century wars with the Dutch, maintaining control until the 19th century.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Origin of Control in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade
The Trans-Atlantic slave trade, which began in the 15th century, was dominated at different times by various European nations. The Portuguese were the pioneers in trading for African slaves, starting from 1441. They played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade until the mid-17th century. However, it was the Dutch who wrested control from the Portuguese in the 1630s and became a major force in the slave trade. Despite this, they soon faced competition from the French and British, leading to conflicts for control. England emerged victorious after two wars with the Dutch in the 17th century, securing dominance over the slave trade, a position they maintained until the early 19th century.
In the earlier days of the trade, Europeans were limited to trading posts on the African coast, relying on African intermediaries to provide captives. The treatment of slaves as cargo rather than humans began here, with branding and imprisonment as common practices. The high mortality rate associated with the Trans-Atlantic slave trade started from this point and continued through the Middle Passage.
Competition among European nations to control the Trans-Atlantic slave trade intensified as they established trading posts along the West African coast. This trade had a profound impact on African societies, causing strife and disruption as political entities engaged or resisted participation in the slave trade.