What was one of the key demographic effects of the Atlantic slave trade on African societies?

The key demographic effect of the Atlantic slave trade on African societies was primarily the significant demographic changes caused by the forced removal of individuals. Millions of Africans were forcibly taken from their homelands and shipped across the Atlantic to work as slaves in the Americas, which led to substantial population losses in certain regions. This removal had profound effects not only on the population size but also on the social structure, family units, and cultural practices within African societies. Communities were often disrupted as individuals, including many able-bodied men and women, were taken, leading to long-term consequences for the demographic makeup and the socio-economic fabric of these societies.

In contrast, other factors like population decrease due to conflict relate more to local dynamics than the broader demographic shifts caused by the slave trade itself. The Atlantic slave trade did not inherently lead to an increase in literacy rates, as the focus was on labor extraction rather than education. Similarly, while new trade routes did emerge as a result of the slave trade, this aspect pertains to economic and commercial changes rather than a direct demographic effect on African populations.