Final answer:
The domestic slave trade had several effects, including the separation of families, an increase in demand for enslaved labor, and long-lasting impacts on African communities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The domestic slave trade in the United States had several significant impacts on the communities involved. Here are three pieces of evidence:
Separation of families: Enslaved families were frequently separated as a result of the domestic slave trade. Children were often torn away from their parents, and spouses were sold to different owners. This caused immense emotional and psychological trauma to the enslaved individuals and disrupted the formation of strong family bonds.
Increase in demand for enslaved labor: The growth of cotton and sugar economies in the Lower South led to a higher demand for enslaved African Americans. Enslavers in the Upper South, such as Virginia and Maryland, sold surplus enslaved people to meet this demand. This further perpetuated the trade and contributed to the expansion of the domestic slave market.
Impact on African communities: The slave trade had long-lasting effects on the areas from which the most enslaved people were taken. These areas, which were relatively developed at the time, are now among the poorest in Africa. Additionally, ethnic groups most affected by the slave trade tend to have lower levels of trust. The slave trade disrupted social and political structures intended to protect people.