why did the slave trade grow dramatically in the americas in the mid-1500s
a. people began to profit from selling native Americans abroad
b. Sugar became an important export****
c. Gold mining required a great deal of labor
d. Native Americans refused to work in the fields or in the mines
i agree, i took that test
The correct answer is b. Sugar became an important export.
To find the answer, you can analyze the given options and their historical context. In the mid-1500s, the Americas experienced a significant increase in the slave trade as different European powers established colonies and plantation economies in the region.
Option a, which suggests that people began to profit from selling Native Americans abroad, is not entirely accurate. While indigenous populations were indeed subjected to forced labor and enslavement, the slave trade grew primarily due to factors other than the sale of Native Americans.
Option c, stating that gold mining required a great deal of labor, is also incorrect. While gold mining did exist in some regions, it was not the primary reason for the significant growth of the slave trade.
Option d, suggesting that Native Americans refused to work in the fields or mines, does not provide a comprehensive explanation for the dramatic growth of the slave trade. It is important to note that Native Americans did resist and reject the exploitative labor demands imposed on them, but their refusal alone would not have led to the exponential expansion of the slave trade.
Option b, mentioning that sugar became an important export, is the most accurate explanation. In the mid-1500s, sugar plantations became highly profitable in the Americas, particularly in regions such as Brazil and the Caribbean. The labor-intensive nature of sugar production demanded a large workforce, which led to an increased demand for enslaved Africans. This demand for labor was a significant driving force behind the growth of the transatlantic slave trade during this period.
Therefore, option b is the correct answer based on historical context and the economic significance of sugar production.