The island plantations were to be exploited to provide the wealth with with which their owners could return to Europe and live like gentlemen.

Many of them did not bring their families to the islands, or, when they did, their stay was a temporary one.

Therefore, they were more willing than were the Americans to purchase slaves directly from Africa.

Moreover, because their sole interest in the islands was economic profit, they could make a double profit by selling their seasoned slaves as well as selling their plantation produce.

While the Africans' stay in the Caribbean, obviously, was not part of their African heritage, it was part of the experience which they brought with them to the Colonies.