A Million Europeans Enslaved

Usually when we think of slavery, we think of the tragedy of Africans being brought to the Americas. But not many realize that slavery was a worldwide fad between 1500-1800, most notably practiced by the Moors who brought nearly one million white European slaves to the Ottoman Empire and other Barbary States:

In a new book, “Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters: White Slavery in the Mediterranean, the Barbary Coast, and Italy, 1500-1800,” Mr. Davis calculates that between 1 million and 1.25 million Europeans were captured by pirates called “corsairs” and forced to work in North Africa during that period.

The raids were so aggressive that entire Mediterranean seaside towns were abandoned by frightened residents. “Much of what has been written gives the impression that there were not many slaves and minimizes the impact that slavery had on Europe.

“Most accounts only look at slavery in one place, or only for a short period of time. But when you take a broader, longer view, the massive scope of this slavery and its powerful impact become clear.”