The triangular trade worked as follows:
1) European merchants would sail to Africa and trade for slaves. They would buy the slaves from African chiefs or kings, using goods like guns, beads, and cloth.
2) The slaves were then transported to the Americas, where they were sold to plantation owners. In return for the slaves, the plantation owners would give the European merchants sugar, tobacco, and cotton.
3) The European merchants would then sail back to Europe with the sugar, tobacco, and cotton. They would sell these goods in Europe for a profit.
The triangular trade was a very profitable business for European merchants. It allowed them to get cheap labor for their plantations in the Americas, and it also allowed them to sell their goods in Europe for a high price.
However, the triangular trade was also very cruel and inhumane. Millions of African slaves were transported to the Americas, and many of them died during the journey or from the harsh conditions on the plantations. The triangular trade also had a devastating impact on African societies, as it led to the loss of many of their people.