What was one economic effect of the transatlantic slave trade?

The transatlantic slave trade significantly fueled plantation economies in the Americas. As European powers established colonies in the New World, they required a large and inexpensive labor force to cultivate cash crops such as sugar, tobacco, and cotton. The importation of enslaved Africans provided the necessary labor to meet the demands of these booming agricultural sectors.

Plantations thrived as a result of this human capital, which allowed for large-scale production and profitability. The reliance on slave labor became deeply embedded in the economic structure of the Southern colonies, leading to increased wealth for plantation owners and substantial contributions to the economies of European countries involved in the trade. Thus, the reliance on enslaved labor not only sustained plantation economies but also shaped the economic landscape of the Americas during this period.

In contrast, strengthening African kingdoms, decreasing plantation economies, and eliminating the need for resources in Africa do not accurately reflect the consequences of the transatlantic slave trade, as these aspects did not align with the historical reality of the trade's impact on both continents involved.