European forts and castles on the Gold Coast and slave exports (1482–1872)

1. Portuguese begin sustained trade on the Gold Coast

   Jan 1, 1471Labels: Portuguese, Gold Coast

   • Britannica
   • GMMB

2. Elmina Castle constructed as Portuguese trade fortress

   Jan 1, 1482Labels: Elmina Castle, Portuguese

   • Britannica
   • GMMB

3. Dutch capture Elmina, shifting fort network control

   Aug 24, 1637Labels: Dutch, Elmina Castle

   • Britannica
   • Battle Elmina

4. Dutch build Fort Crèvecoeur at Accra (Ussher Fort)

   Jan 1, 1649Labels: Fort Cr, Accra

   • Ussher Fort
   • UNESCO

5. Danish build Christiansborg, forming Danish Gold Coast capital

   Jan 1, 1661Labels: Christiansborg, Denmark Norway

   • Osu Castle
   • Danish Gold Coast

6. Cape Coast Castle fortified as English coastal hub

   Jan 1, 1664Labels: Cape Coast, England

   • Cape Coast
   • UNESCO

7. Royal African Company chartered, expanding English fort network

   Jan 1, 1672Labels: Royal African, England

   • UK Parliament
   • BlackPast

8. Denmark-Norway announces ban on slave trade (effective 1803)

   Jan 1, 1792Labels: Denmark Norway, Abolition

   • Danish Gold Coast
   • Danish ban

9. Britain abolishes slave trade, shifting Gold Coast policy

   Mar 25, 1807Labels: Britain, Slave Trade

   • UK Parliament
   • Slave Trade Act

10. West Africa Squadron formed to intercept slave ships

    Jan 1, 1808Labels: West Africa, Royal Navy

    • W Africa Sq
    • Slave Trade Act

11. Bond of 1844 deepens British legal authority near forts

    Mar 6, 1844Labels: Bond of, Fante

    • Bond 1844
    • UK Parliament

12. Denmark sells Gold Coast forts to Britain

    Jan 1, 1850Labels: Denmark, Christiansborg

    • Danish Gold Coast
    • Osu Castle

13. Anglo-Dutch treaty exchanges forts to create separate zones

    Mar 5, 1867Labels: Anglo-Dutch treaty, Netherlands

    • 1867 Treaty
    • Ussher Fort

14. Netherlands cedes remaining Gold Coast forts to Britain

    Apr 6, 1872Labels: Dutch Gold, Britain

    • Britannica
    • 1872 Cession