The Barbary slave trade, spanning the 16th to 19th centuries, involved North African pirates raiding ships and coastal towns in the Mediterranean and Atlantic, capturing Europeans and others for slavery. Barbary States like Tripoli, Tunis, Algiers, and Morocco engaged in piracy, enslaving captives who faced harsh conditions and were often sold or ransomed. European powers and the United States paid tribute to avoid attacks. The trade affected hundreds of thousands, if not more, and led to conflicts like the Barbary Wars. Efforts to end the trade eventually succeeded in the 19th century, but it remains a dark chapter in history, showcasing the brutality of human enslavement and piracy's impact on international relations.
