Final answer:
The mortality rate of enslaved persons was influenced by factors such as poor nutrition, inadequate living conditions, and susceptibility to diseases. Infants and children experienced higher mortality rates, and the transatlantic slave trade had profound effects on African society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mortality rate of enslaved persons was impacted by various factors. These factors include poor nutrition, inadequate living conditions, harsh working conditions, and susceptibility to diseases. Enslaved individuals often suffered from malnutrition, respiratory ailments, dysentery, and other health problems due to a low-quality diet and cramped living conditions. Additionally, the mortality rate varied depending on the location and type of plantation. Sugar and rice plantations had higher mortality rates compared to cotton-growing plantations.
Infant and childhood mortality rates for enslaved persons were also significantly higher compared to Whites. Factors like underweight births, early weaning, and lack of nutrition contributed to the high mortality rate among Black infants. Enslaved individuals also utilized medical knowledge to resist their conditions, sometimes feigning illness or practicing early forms of birth control.
The transatlantic slave trade also had a significant impact on the African society. The loss of young adults to slavery affected labor and reproduction, resulting in population decline and shifts in traditional gender roles.