Royal Africa Company

views updated

Royal Africa Company. A number of short-lived charters in particular areas had been granted in the late 16th and early 17th cents., but the Royal Africa Company was not established until 1672. It traded with west Africa for gold and ivory but its main concern was to supply slaves to the West Indian islands. The company defended its charter with the argument that it was obliged to provide forts to protect warehouses, and it survived after reorganization in 1750 until 1821.

J. A. Cannon

More From encyclopedia.com