Describe how the African slave trade began, the nations involved in the trading practice, and how it affected Africa.

The slave trade began when the Portugese decided to explore West Africa and kidnapped some of the locals at first. The numbers started small at first, but then began to grow and other countries got involved. When the demand for slaves grew, they stopped kidnapping their own slaves and instead bought them from African tribes and kingdoms who would kidnap them themselves. This affected Africa by causing war to break out throughout West Africa. Many families were torn apart as well.