Question

View the chart outlining the approximate number of ships engaged in the transatlantic slave trade then answer the question.

Period Number of Ships
1501 to 1550 64,125
1550 to 1600 213,380
1601 to 1650 667,894
1651 to 1700 1,207,738
Which conclusion would best be supported by the data in the table?

A.
The enslavement of African peoples became a less profitable pursuit for European traders over time.

B.
The regulation of the sale of enslaved African people led to the decline of its popularity among Europeans.

C.
The trading of enslaved African peoples led to military conflicts between Europeans and the people in their colonies.

D.
The increasing population of enslaved Africans contributed to the economic growth experienced in European colonies.

Answer 1

The data in the table shows an increasing trend in the number of ships engaged in the transatlantic slave trade over the specified periods, indicating that the trade was growing rather than declining. Based on this information, the best-supported conclusion would be:

**D. The increasing population of enslaved Africans contributed to the economic growth experienced in European colonies.**

The consistent increase in the number of ships suggests that the trade in enslaved Africans was indeed becoming more significant and likely contributed to the economic growth of European colonies.