What made many people in Rhode Island rich What were some negative consequences of the trade?

Many people in Rhode Island became wealthy through the transatlantic slave trade and the trade of goods such as rum, which was produced using enslaved labor. This lucrative commerce fostered economic growth, enabling the development of ports and shipbuilding industries. However, negative consequences included the moral degradation associated with slavery, the exploitation of enslaved individuals, and social divisions that arose from reliance on such an inhumane system. Additionally, the economy became heavily dependent on the slave trade, which created long-lasting social and economic challenges.