1. Profit Maximization: The slave trade was a highly lucrative business, and merchants focused on maximizing their profits. By packing slaves tightly into ships and providing inadequate food, water, and sanitation, they could reduce their costs and transport more slaves at once, increasing their profits.
2. Lack of Regulations: In many cases, there were limited regulations or oversight of the slave trade, which allowed merchants to operate without fear of legal consequences. This lack of accountability contributed to the inhumane conditions on slave ships.
3. Dehumanization: The slave traders often viewed enslaved individuals as mere commodities rather than human beings. This dehumanizing perspective allowed them to justify treating slaves with cruelty and indifference to their well-being.
4. Limited Resources: Slave merchants were often operating in remote and unfamiliar regions, with limited access to resources such as food and water. This scarcity contributed to the difficult conditions endured by enslaved individuals during their transportation.
5. Ignorance of Medical Knowledge: The medical knowledge and expertise available at the time were limited. Slave traders may have lacked an understanding of the importance of sanitation, hygiene, and nutrition in preventing diseases.
6. Speed of Transportation: Slave traders aimed to transport enslaved individuals as quickly as possible to meet the demands of slave owners and avoid delays that could increase costs. This rush to transport slaves contributed to the overcrowded and unsanitary conditions on ships.
7. Lack of Empathy: Some slave merchants showed a profound lack of empathy towards the suffering of enslaved individuals. They prioritized financial gain and personal interests above the well-being of those they traded.
While the slave trade was driven by economic incentives, the harsh conditions during transport resulted in immense suffering, trauma, and the loss of countless lives, reflecting the brutal and dehumanizing nature of the institution of slavery.