How did the East African slave trade changed after 1500?

After 1500, the East African slave trade experienced significant changes due to increased demand from European and Arab traders, particularly driven by the expansion of sugar plantations in the Americas. This period saw a rise in the scale and organization of the trade, with coastal cities like Zanzibar becoming central hubs for the export of enslaved Africans. The introduction of European firearms also intensified local conflicts, leading to increased raids and capture of slaves. Overall, the trade became more brutal and commercialized, deeply impacting the societies involved.