Economic factors:
The primary economic driver behind the transatlantic slave trade was the demand for labor on plantations and other agricultural enterprises in the Americas. The profitability of these enterprises was based on the exploitation of enslaved people, who were forced to work in extremely harsh and dangerous conditions for little or no pay.
Social and cultural factors:
The practice of slavery was also deeply ingrained in the social structures of many European societies at the time. Slavery was seen as a legitimate and normal institution, and it was supported by laws, customs, and religious beliefs. This acceptance of slavery made it easier for Europeans to justify the enslavement of African people.
Political factors:
The political power of the slave-owning elite in many countries was another key factor that allowed slavery to persist. These elites had a vested interest in maintaining the status quo and used their power to suppress any attempts to challenge the institution of slavery.
These are just a few of the complex factors that contributed to the transatlantic slave trade and the enslavement of black people by white people. It is important to understand the full historical context of this issue to fully comprehend its causes and consequences.