ASSIENTO Meaning and
Definition
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Assiento is a historical term originating from the Spanish language, specifically in reference to the Atlantic slave trade during the colonial era. The term generally refers to a contract or a system that granted a monopoly to a particular nation or company, allowing them exclusive rights to import and sell African slaves in Spanish America.
The Assiento system was established by the Spanish Crown during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, primarily in the viceroyalties of New Spain (Mexico) and Peru, as well as in the Caribbean. The term is derived from the Spanish word "asiento," which translates to "a seat" or "a license."
Under the Assiento, the contracting nation or company had the authority to supply a certain number of enslaved Africans to Spanish colonies for labor purposes. These individuals would be sold as slaves, often to work on plantations or in mines. The contract would outline the terms and conditions of the trade, such as the number of slaves, the price, and the duration of the agreement.
The Assiento system played a significant role in the development and maintenance of the transatlantic slave trade, as it granted exclusive control over the importation of slaves to the contracting parties. This contributed to the widespread exploitation of African peoples and the perpetuation of slavery in the Americas. The Assiento system ultimately ended in the 18th century with the rise of anti-slavery movements and the changing political climate.
Common Misspellings for ASSIENTO
- zssiento
- sssiento
- wssiento
- qssiento
- aasiento
- azsiento
- axsiento
- adsiento
- aesiento
- awsiento
- asaiento
- asziento
- asxiento
- asdiento
- aseiento
- aswiento
- assuento
- assjento
- asskento
- Asriento
Etymology of ASSIENTO
The word "assiento" originated from the Spanish language and can be traced back to the verb "asentar", which means "to seat" or "to settle". The term initially referred to a written contract or agreement between the Spanish Crown and a private company or individual. It involved granting the exclusive right or license to trade, specifically in relation to the African slave trade. The assiento system was established during the 16th century and used extensively during the colonial era.
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