How transatlantic slave trade began when?

The transatlantic slave trade began in the late 15th century, around the 1500s, as European powers sought labor for their colonies in the Americas. Initially, Portuguese and Spanish traders transported enslaved Africans, but by the 17th century, British, French, and Dutch involvement increased significantly. This trade was driven by the demand for labor on plantations producing sugar, tobacco, and cotton, leading to the forced migration of millions of Africans across the Atlantic. The trade continued to expand until the 19th century, profoundly impacting societies on both sides of the Atlantic.