Sugar: The demand for sugar skyrocketed in the 16th century as European countries like England, France, and Spain began importing sugar from the Caribbean and South America. Sugar plantations required a lot of manual labor, and African slaves were brought in to work on them.
Tobacco: Tobacco was another crop that required a lot of labor, and African slaves were also used to work on tobacco plantations in the Americas.
Cotton: The demand for cotton also increased in the 18th and 19th centuries, and African slaves were brought into the United States to work on cotton plantations. The southern United States became heavily dependent on slave labor for its agricultural economy.
Affordability: Compared to indentured servants, African slaves were cheaper to acquire and maintain, making them more profitable for plantation owners and traders.
Racism and Prejudice: Pervasive racism and prejudice during that time justified the enslavement of African people and made it socially acceptable.
Lack of Legal Protection: African slaves had no legal protection or rights, making them completely vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
It is important to note that the transatlantic slave trade was a horrific crime against humanity that resulted in the enslavement, exploitation, and deaths of millions of African people.