What were the political and economic factors that caused the slave trade?

The slave trade was driven by a combination of political and economic factors, including the demand for labor in the Americas to cultivate cash crops like sugar, tobacco, and cotton. European powers, particularly Britain, Portugal, and Spain, sought to expand their colonies and wealth, leading to the establishment of a transatlantic trade network. Additionally, political rivalries and the need for a cheap labor force to support growing industries fueled the exploitation of African populations. This system was further reinforced by the prevailing racial ideologies that dehumanized enslaved individuals, justifying their forced labor.