Final answer:
The introduction of rice in the late 17th century transformed black life in the South Carolina lowcountry, leading to an increase in the demand for slaves and the growth of the slave trade. Rice cultivation was labor intensive and required a large number of slaves.
Step-by-step explanation:
The introduction of rice in the late 17th century transformed black life in the South Carolina lowcountry. Rice production in the lowcountry was labor intensive and required a large number of slaves to cultivate and tend to the crop. As a result, the demand for slaves from rice growing regions of West Africa increased, making Charleston a major center of the slave trade. The profitability of rice as a cash crop led to the expansion of slavery in the region.