Causes of the Transatlantic Slave Trade

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What economic factor drove European countries to begin the transatlantic slave trade?

European countries needed a large labor force to work on American plantations, particularly for cash crops like sugar, cotton, and tobacco.

How did technological advancements contribute to the transatlantic slave trade?

Improvements in shipbuilding and navigation enabled longer and more reliable ocean voyages, facilitating the transportation of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean.

What role did European colonization play in the rise of the transatlantic slave trade?

The establishment of European colonies in the Americas created a demand for labor, which was met through the enslavement of Africans.

How did African leaders contribute to the start of the transatlantic slave trade?

Some African leaders participated by capturing and selling individuals from rival communities to European traders.

Why did Europeans initially turn to Africa for slaves?

Europeans turned to Africa due to the existing African slave trading systems and the perceived logistical idea of transporting slaves for labor in the Americas.

How did the decline of the native population in the Americas influence the transatlantic slave trade?

The decimation of the native population due to disease and conflict led Europeans to seek alternative sources of labor, which they found in Africa.

What role did European rivalries play in the expansion of the slave trade?

Countries like Britain, France, and Spain sought to outdo each other in economic wealth and influence, seeing the slave trade as a way to achieve this.

How did the demand for sugar in Europe contribute to the slave trade?

Sugar plantations required a massive labor force, significantly increasing the demand for enslaved African laborers.

What was the significance of triangular trade routes in the context of the slave trade?

Triangular trade routes facilitated the exchange of goods, including enslaved people, between Europe, Africa, and the Americas, making the trade more structured and profitable.

What was the mercantilist view on the slave trade?

Under mercantilism, creating self-sufficient colonies was crucial, and the trade of enslaved Africans was seen as necessary for colony productivity.

How did the demand for tobacco in Europe influence the slave trade?

Like sugar, tobacco cultivation in the Americas required a vast labor force, leading to an increased reliance on enslaved Africans.

What was the economic motivation for individual traders in the slave trade?

Individual traders participated in the slave trade seeking significant profits from the sale and transport of enslaved people.

How did the European sugar lobbyist influence the continuation of the slave trade?

Powerful sugar lobbyists in countries like Britain influenced policies to support the slave trade due to its role in maintaining the sugar industry's profitability.

What was the role of European joint-stock companies in the slave trade?

Joint-stock companies financed voyages and had a significant role in the organization and expansion of the slave trade.

How did European political policies contribute to the trade?

Policies like the Asiento and chartering of companies by governments facilitated and controlled aspects of the slave trade.