When did the first slaves arrive in New Orleans, bringing a total of 3000 over the following 12 years?

The first arrival of enslaved Africans in New Orleans occurred in 1719. This is significant because it marks a crucial moment in the establishment of the labor system that would shape the economy and culture of the region for centuries to come. Over the following 12 years, approximately 3,000 enslaved individuals were brought to the city, which played a pivotal role in the development of plantation agriculture and the overall growth of Louisiana's economy. This influx laid the groundwork for a complex social and racial hierarchy that persists today.

The choice of 1719 reflects the historical documentation regarding the transatlantic slave trade to Louisiana, highlighting how this date is embedded in the broader narrative of colonial expansion and the exploitation of enslaved labor within the French colonial system. Understanding this timeline is essential for grasping the foundational aspects of New Orleans' cultural and historical evolution.