What was the main trade item that drove European exploration of Africa in the 18th century? 🔊
The main trade item that drove European exploration of Africa in the 18th century was enslaved people, alongside other goods like gold and spices. The Atlantic slave trade expanded significantly during this time, where Europeans forcibly transported millions of Africans to the Americas for labor on plantations. This exploitative trade system not only fueled economic growth in Europe and the Americas but also led to devastating social and cultural impacts in African societies. Commodities like sugar, tobacco, and cotton further intensified the demand for enslaved labor.
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