Final answer:
Between 1525 and 1866, an estimated 12.5 million Africans were forced onto ships and transported across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas.
It is estimated that approximately 15% of Africans who were enslaved and transported across the Atlantic died during the Middle Passage.
Countless Africans died in the slave trade's early stages—capture, the march to the coast, and waiting to board ships—possibly 20%, around 2.5 million.
Step-by-step explanation:
Estimated number of Africans who died during the Middle Passage: It is estimated that approximately 15% of Africans who were enslaved and transported across the Atlantic died during the Middle Passage. This means that out of the 12.5 million Africans who were forced onto ships, around 1.875 million perished during the voyage.
Estimated number of Africans who died on the march to the coast or while waiting to board a slave ship: In addition to those who died during the Middle Passage, many Africans also died during the capture process, the march to the coast, and while waiting to board slave ships. The exact number of deaths during these stages is unknown, but estimates suggest that it could have been as high as 20% of the total number of Africans who were enslaved. This means that out of the 12.5 million Africans who were forced into the slave trade, around 2.5 million could have died before even reaching the ships.
Total estimated number of African deaths related to the transatlantic slave trade: When considering the deaths during the Middle Passage, the capture process, the march to the coast, and the wait time before boarding ships, the total estimated number of African deaths related to the transatlantic slave trade could have been as high as 4.375 million. This staggering figure represents the immense human cost of the transatlantic slave trade.