How were coastal forts used during the slave trade?

Coastal forts were strategically built along trade routes to facilitate the transatlantic slave trade by serving as holding and processing centers for enslaved people. They functioned as warehouses and barracks where enslaved Africans were kept before being loaded onto ships for transport to the Americas. Additionally, these forts provided protection for European traders against rival nations and local populations, ensuring the security of their operations. The forts also often served as points of trade, where goods exchanged for enslaved individuals were stored and managed.