1. Europe to Africa:
- European merchants and traders sailed to Africa, primarily to the western coast of the continent, with goods such as manufactured items, cloth, firearms, and alcohol.
- They traded these items with local African rulers, merchants, and coastal communities in exchange for enslaved people, gold, ivory, and other valuable commodities.
2. Africa to the Americas:
- The enslaved individuals obtained from Africa were transported across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas, primarily the Caribbean islands, Brazil, and the southern North American colonies.
- During this stage of the triangular trade, known as the Middle Passage, enslaved Africans endured horrific conditions and suffered immensely due to overcrowding, poor sanitation, and brutal treatment.
3. Americas to Europe:
- From the Americas, European traders acquired commodities such as tobacco, sugar, cotton, coffee, and precious metals, particularly silver and gold mined from the Americas.
- These goods were then shipped to Europe, where they were either consumed or further traded and distributed to other parts of the world.
The triangular trade routes and the exchange of goods between Europe, Africa, and the Americas played a significant role in shaping the global economy, politics, and social dynamics of the time. It had far-reaching consequences, including the rise of the transatlantic slave trade, colonization, and the accumulation of wealth and power by European nations involved in this trade network.