Which of the following is an example of a negative social impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade on West African societies?

The breakdown of traditional family structures serves as a significant example of a negative social impact stemming from the Transatlantic Slave Trade on West African societies. During this period, a substantial portion of the population, particularly men and women, were forcibly removed from their communities and families to be sold into slavery in the Americas. This disruption led to the disintegration of family units, as many individuals were separated from their loved ones without any hope of reunification. The absence of parents and providers created gaps in the social fabric of these communities, contributing to long-term societal struggles related to kinship and social cohesion.

In contrast to this, the spread of religions like Christianity and Islam, as well as the development of new trade routes and increased cultural exchanges, while they might have had various impacts on the societies, cannot be categorized as negative social consequences in the same way. Instead, these factors could be seen as resulting from the interactions and complexities introduced by the trade, leading to both positive and negative changes.