Examine the role of technological factors and the growth of maritime commerce in the rise of the Atlantic slave trade.

The question requires that candidates consider the interrelationship between technological factors and the growth of maritime commerce in the rise of the Atlantic slave trade. Factors may predate the timeframe but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may offer equal coverage of technological factors and the growth of maritime commerce, or they may emphasize their examination of either; however, both aspects will be a feature of the response. Candidates may refer to improvements in marine technology, with larger craft allowing for the mass transportation of Africans in the Middle Passage, as well as developments in firearms that made it possible to undertake larger-scale slaving expeditions. While other relevant interrelationships, for example between economic changes and increasing demand for plantation labour in the rise of the trade, may be considered, the bulk of the response will remain on those raised in the question.