How did the expansion of sugar plantations in the Americas change the transatlantic economy?

The expansion of sugar plantations in the Americas significantly transformed the transatlantic economy by creating a high demand for enslaved labor, which fueled the transatlantic slave trade. As sugar became a highly profitable commodity, it stimulated European investment and trade, leading to the establishment of a mercantilist system that connected Europe, Africa, and the Americas. This shift not only enriched plantation owners and European economies but also entrenched exploitative labor practices and contributed to the growth of colonial economies reliant on cash crops. Ultimately, sugar production became a cornerstone of the triangular trade, linking the fates of continents and peoples in profound and lasting ways.