McCormick refers to the slave trade as a “first great impetus” for the emerging European economy.
The European slaves sold were often pagan Slavs (the word “slave” derives from “Slav” in several languages), captured during wars or raids in peripheral areas that were not yet Christianized or only loosely controlled (Central & Eastern Europe).
European Christians could also fall victim to raids (by Muslims or Byzantines), but the large-scale organized trade to the south mainly involved pagans.
The main actors in this trade were Italian merchants (especially Venetians), Franks, Jews, and others.
Clerics of the Christian Church were also involved in the enslavement of pagans and even Christians.
