When most people think of the transatlantic slave trade, the United States often comes to mind. Yet it was Brazil that imported the largest number of enslaved Africans—over 4.8 million, far more than any other country in the Americas. This staggering figure was not a historical accident. Brazil’s unique combination of geography, economics, and colonial ambitions made it the epicenter of the slave trade for centuries. Understanding the reasons behind Brazil’s vast slave imports is essential to grasping the enduring legacy of slavery in the Americas.
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