King Charles II

Britain played a prominent role in the Atlantic slave trade. Not only did slavery exist on the British mainland, but British sailors transported slaves all over the world. The slave trade was proliferated by King Charles II's chartering of the Royal African Company in 1660. This organization held a monopoly on British slaving endeavors in West Africa and transported over 90,000 slaves all over the world. The company also established forts and trading posts on the West African coast with the help of the army and navy. Half of the earnings made from the trade was given to the King.