The triangular trade was a historical trade system that occurred primarily between Europe, Africa, and the Americas, particularly during the 16th to 19th centuries. The trade route formed a triangle shape on the map, hence the name.
-
Europe: European countries, such as Portugal, Spain, Britain, France, and the Netherlands, were involved in the trade. They exported manufactured goods like textiles, rum, and firearms to Africa.
-
Africa: In Africa, traders exchanged these goods for enslaved people, who were captured and sold into slavery. This part of the trade was devastating, as it led to the forced displacement and suffering of millions of Africans.
-
Americas: The enslaved individuals were then transported to the Americas, where they were sold into labor, particularly in the plantations of the Caribbean and the Southern United States. In return, the European traders would bring back raw materials to Europe, such as sugar, cotton, tobacco, and coffee.
This system was a critical part of the transatlantic slave trade and had lasting impacts on the societies and economies of all three continents involved.