Slave trade to the English colonies in America started in the early 17th century. At first the slaves were free after serving for their masters for 21 years. Later on, Virginia and Maryland passed laws that made Negroes slaves for the rest of their lives. The new law also stated that children who were born to slaves automatically became the property of the white master.
By the beginning of the 18th century slave trade was a big business. The British started what was called Triangular Trade. Factory goods were brought to Africa, slaves were taken to the West Indies, where they were sold to American plantation farmers, and sugar, cotton, rum and tobacco were brought back to Europe.