History of Oceania

What dose a triangular trade mean?

The triangular trade was a system of transatlantic trade that took place between Europe, Africa, and the Americas from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The term "triangular" refers to the three legs of the trade route:

1. Europe to Africa: European traders would sail to Africa and exchange manufactured goods for enslaved people.

2. Africa to the Americas: The enslaved people were transported to the Americas and sold to plantation owners.

3. Americas to Europe: The raw materials produced on the plantations in the Americas, such as sugar, tobacco, and cotton, were shipped to Europe.

The triangular trade was a major part of the Atlantic economy and played a significant role in the development of capitalism. It also had a devastating impact on Africa, as millions of people were forcibly removed from their homes and transported across the Atlantic in horrific conditions.