Triangular trade

Historical trade system between Europe, Africa, and the Americas

Diagram of the triangular trade

The triangular trade was a system of transatlantic trade in the 16th to 19th centuries that involved the exchange of goods and enslaved people between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. This trade system was a crucial component of the Atlantic slave trade and had significant economic, social, and political impacts on the regions involved.

Overview

The triangular trade consisted of three stages, forming a triangle across the Atlantic Ocean. The first leg involved ships leaving European ports loaded with manufactured goods such as textiles, rum, and guns. These goods were transported to the west coast of Africa, where they were exchanged for enslaved Africans.

Illustration of the triangular trade routes

The second leg, known as the Middle Passage, was the transport of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas. This journey was notorious for its brutal conditions, with enslaved people packed tightly into ships, leading to high mortality rates.

The final leg of the triangle involved the transport of goods produced in the Americas, such as sugar, tobacco, and cotton, back to Europe. These goods were often produced on plantations using the labor of enslaved Africans.

Economic Impact

The triangular trade was highly profitable for European merchants and played a significant role in the economic development of European nations. The trade provided raw materials for European industries and markets for European manufactured goods. It also contributed to the growth of port cities such as Liverpool, Bristol, and Nantes.

Social and Cultural Impact

The trade had devastating effects on African societies, leading to the displacement and suffering of millions of people. It also contributed to the development of racially based social hierarchies in the Americas, with long-lasting impacts on social structures and cultural identities.

Map showing the number of slaves embarked to America by country

Political Impact

The triangular trade influenced political relations between European powers, as nations competed for control of trade routes and colonies. It also played a role in the development of colonial economies and the expansion of European empires.

Navigation and Trade Routes

The trade routes were influenced by the North Atlantic Gyre, a system of ocean currents that facilitated the movement of ships across the Atlantic. The gyre helped ships travel from Europe to Africa, then to the Americas, and back to Europe.

Map of the North Atlantic Gyre, which influenced trade routes

Abolition and Legacy

The triangular trade began to decline in the late 18th century as movements to abolish the slave trade gained momentum. The Abolition of the Slave Trade Act 1807 in Britain and similar legislation in other countries marked the end of the legal transatlantic slave trade, although illegal trade continued for some time.

The legacy of the triangular trade is still felt today, with ongoing discussions about reparations and the impact of slavery on modern societies.

Graph showing the number of slaves imported from Africa

Related pages

• Atlantic slave trade
• Middle Passage
• Abolitionism
• Colonialism