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Supporting Countries

The main European powers, and later the United States, who used racist ideologies to drive, benefit
from, and support the transatlantic slave trade. They operated within the "triangular trade" system, a
three-part commercial network from the 16th to 19th centuries linking Europe, Africa, and the
Americas. European ships exchanged manufactured goods for enslaved Africans, who were then shipped
to the Americas. The raw materials produced were subsequently sent back to Europe, completing the
trade cycle. Over 12 million Africans were forcibly transported to the Americas to support colonial
economies. In the process, these countries amassed vast wealth at the expense of people of color. They
include:

  • Portugal: Historically the largest transporter of enslaved people, accounting for nearly 40% of all transatlantic voyages.
  • Great Britain (England): The leading trafficker during the 18th century, responsible for transporting over 2.5 million enslaved Africans.
  • France: Transported roughly 1.2 to 1.3 million enslaved people to its Caribbean and South American colonies.
  • The Netherlands: Controlled a major portion of the trade in the 17th century through the Dutch West India Company.
  • Spain: Relied heavily on other European nations to supply its colonies through asiento licenses, before engaging directly.
  • Denmark: Maintained a smaller, but historically active, trade network to the Danish West Indies (modern-day U.S. Virgin Islands).
  • Other Participants: Sweden and Prussia (Germany) had smaller, temporary roles in the trade.
  • The United States: Received a smaller share of the overall trade, approximately 3% to 5%, directly from Africa, but had an enslaved population that expanded considerably through natural growth and local trading.
  • The Vatican: For centuries, the Vatican profited from and legitimized slavery. Popes issued decrees permitting European nations to enslave non-Christians. Furthermore, religious orders like the Jesuits owned plantations and sold enslaved individuals to support Catholic institutions.
  • Brazil: The nation accumulated vast wealth through the mass enslavement of Africans, importing nearly half of all enslaved people to the Americas. However, it can also be seen as a structural victim of its own system: even though the economy profited, the institution fostered deep inequality that continues to affect the country today.

Supporting countries are committed to providing financial, technical, and political support. They provide annual funding for individual projects or through multi-year commitments to secure long-term funding for managing the TASH International Secretariat. Supporting countries are also encouraged to provide direct financial, technical, and political support for activities in countries implementing the TASH Standard.

Supporting countries are represented on the TASH Board and its committees by senior government officials. These officials actively provide financial, political, or technical support for TASH’s implementation and follow the guidelines for supporting countries.