Final answer:
The transatlantic slave trade, initiated with colonization of the New World, caused significant world changes, including economic, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic transformations. While it led to cultural innovations, the human cost was devastating with countless African lives lost, and African society hugely impacted. The European economies greatly benefited from this trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
The transatlantic slave trade was initiated with the colonization of the New World. As the labor demand grew in the Americas, the trade emerged and expanded. European colonizers initially attempted forcing Africans into slavery, but it quickly became evident that trade with African kingdoms who controlled local commerce was more practical. Thus, millions of Africans were procured as slaves in exchange for foreign commodities, and transported to the Americas.
This extensive forced migration changed the world significantly. The trade led to significant ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and economic shifts around the globe. While this huge displacement resulted in cultural innovations, including the evolution of new languages, foods, religions, and rituals, the trade took an unimaginable human toll. Millions of Africans lost their lives during the enslavement process, with families, communities, and societies fractured.
The transatlantic slave trade notably benefited the economies of Europe. However, this economic gain was at the harsh expense of Africa, with its society being severely devastated by the massive and cruel exodus.
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