It was by the 1640s that enslaving African slaves became a common practice and achieved legal recognition. African slaves became the preferred labor source by the European settlers in America since it was inexpensive and plentiful labor in comparison to indentured servants. The slave trade, also known as the Triangular Trade, was barbaric since Europeans took advantage of Africa's overwhelming loss of population, creating easy access to exploitation and domination. It was driven by demand by the growing capitalism of America and Europe that needed the cheapest labor possible, resulting in the kidnappings of many Africans. Traders were willing to do anything to sell human beings as commodities. There would be three parts to the journey: first, manufactured goods are sent to Africa; second, Africans are being transported to America; and third, the exportation of goods. The second part of the passage where Africans are being sent to America was often called "The Middle Passage" and the slaves that endured the trip often called it a dehumanizing experience. They would be forced to endure abuse, heat, and filth for a voyage that lasted up to three months. Still, the inhumane treatment of Africans did not stop the transatlantic slave trade as it was the most profitable and the most difficult part. Once the voyage ended, slaves were sold and bought by random plant owners then enslaved for the rest of their lives. .
The transatlantic slave trade had a devastating impact on Africa more than any other country because the Europeans were aiming directly at Africans only while other countries were willing to enslave both blacks and whites. It weakened Africa as a continent since they lost millions of their strongest men and women during the slave trade, resulting in an underdeveloped continent. According to a Ghanaian historian and lawyer named Mohamed Shaibu Abdulai, the slave trade prevented an agrarian revolution in Ghana and an industrial revolution since slavery interrupted Africa's agricultural production (Ross).
