The Slave Trade refers to the historical practice of buying and selling human beings as property. This trade primarily involved the forced transportation of Africans to the Americas from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Enslaved individuals were often subjected to harsh conditions and labor on plantations, contributing to the economies of countries like the United States and Brazil. The transatlantic slave trade was a significant part of the broader system of slavery that existed worldwide. It involved various European nations, including Britain, France, and Portugal, who established trade routes and colonies. The abolition of the slave trade began in the late 18th century, leading to the eventual end of slavery in many regions.