• Portugal and Spain were early leaders in the transatlantic slave trade.
• Millions of enslaved Africans were sent to the Americas.
• Britain became the biggest transporter of enslaved people by the 1700s.
• Enslaved people worked on plantations growing cash crops.
• The slave trade affected Europe, Africa, and the colonies in different ways.

EXTENDING THE DISCUSSION
After the observational question, randomly call on one or more students to share what they or their partner answered. Then ask the class, “Did anyone notice…?” using the suggestions above or anything else you’ve noticed.

• Why did the transatlantic slave trade last for so long?
• What were conditions like on the ships?
• How did this trade affect families in Africa?
• Did people in the colonies try to resist slavery?
• How did this system shape the future of the Americas?

EXTENDING THE DISCUSSION
After students have shared what they notice, ask the class, “Did anyone wonder…?” using the suggestions above or anything else you might think is interesting or relevant to the lesson.

To the observational question, Trans- means

LOW-LEVEL

I notice that people were taken from Africa and sent to the colonies.

HIGH-LEVEL

I notice that enslaved Africans were forced from West Africa to different regions like the Caribbean and the 13 British colonies, mainly to work on plantations, and that this trade involved several countries over hundreds of years.

RESPONDING TO RESPONSES
Emphasize and celebrate each student’s use of the key vocabulary to support a culture of “no wrong answers.”