Final answer:
The perspective of the Transatlantic Slave Trade during its time was as an economic driver and was accepted, whereas today it is condemned as a grave violation of human rights with long-lasting negative impacts on African societies. Modern views focus on historical injustices, systemic racism, and moral evolution that rejects such dehumanizing systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
When comparing the perspectives of the Transatlantic Slave Trade during its time with those from the present, we note fundamental differences in perception, rationale, and the acknowledgment of human rights. During the era of the slave trade, European countries engaged in intense struggles for dominance, and the burgeoning capitalist economy viewed the trade as a means to bolster commerce and territorial expansion. The slave trade was deeply integrated into the global economic system, with slaves being treated not as humans but as commodities to produce other profitable commodities such as gold, sugar, and cotton.
Contemporarily, the Transatlantic Slave Trade is seen as one of the most horrific chapters in human history. Modern perspectives view the practice as an appalling violation of human rights and a system that caused immense human suffering and had long-lasting negative impacts on African societies. With profound moral and ethical considerations, the trade is also recognized as having laid early foundations for systemic racism. The modern view is shaped by historical retrospection, academic research, and the moral evolution that condemns such dehumanizing practices.
The shift from past perspectives that justified the trade for economic growth to present-day condemnation of slavery as a grave injustice highlights an evolution in human rights and ethical standards. Now, the Transatlantic Slave Trade is studied critically to understand its full impact on societies and individuals, remembering the resilience of those who endured this ordeal and the lasting effects on their descendants' lives.