Which factor was not a direct contributor to the expansion of the Atlantic economy?

The factor that was not a direct contributor to the expansion of the Atlantic economy is the decline in demand for labor. During the period of the Atlantic economy's expansion, there was actually an increasing demand for labor, particularly due to the rise of plantation economies in the Americas. These economies relied heavily on enslaved labor to cultivate cash crops such as sugar, tobacco, and cotton, which were highly sought after in European markets.

The development of transatlantic trade routes facilitated the movement of goods, including enslaved people, and created a network of commerce that linked Africa, the Americas, and Europe. Additionally, the rise of plantation economies was a significant driver of economic growth in the Atlantic world, as they produced significant quantities of valuable agricultural products, further fueling the demand for labor.

As such, the idea of a declining demand for labor contradicts the economic realities of the time, where labor shortages in the Americas were often met by the importation of enslaved Africans. This increasing demand, rather than a decline, was a crucial factor in the expansive growth of the Atlantic economy.