The Atlantic Slave Trade existed, lasting from 1518 to 1875, initiated by the Spanish. Without the aid of wealthy Africans, the slave trade wouldn’t have propelled as much as it has. However, Europeans had facilitated a significant increase of the trade with firearms technology. This allowed the slave traders to pressure African lords to trade slaves, and in return rich Africans received finished goods such as firearms. This transaction complemented each other as wealthy Africans could increase dominance in their tribes meanwhile the Portuguese, Spanish, British, and Dutch can benefit in labor. Obviously, with this kind of firepower in which only the elite can obtain, it would only increase the desire to gain more power. This kind of power
