What were the key features of the triangular trade?

The triangular trade involved the exchange of goods and enslaved people between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

The triangular trade was a system of transatlantic trade in the 16th to 19th centuries. It was called "triangular" because it had three legs, forming a triangle. The first leg involved European ships carrying manufactured goods like guns, cloth, and alcohol to Africa. These goods were traded for enslaved Africans, who were forcibly taken from their homes.

The second leg, known as the Middle Passage, was the horrific journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Enslaved Africans were packed tightly into ships under brutal conditions, leading to high mortality rates. This leg of the journey was notorious for its inhumanity and the suffering endured by the enslaved people.

The third leg involved the transport of goods produced by enslaved labour in the Americas back to Europe. These goods included sugar, tobacco, cotton, and rum. The profits from selling these goods were then used to buy more manufactured items, continuing the cycle.

The triangular trade had significant impacts on all regions involved. In Africa, it led to the destabilisation of societies and the loss of millions of people. In the Americas, it resulted in the establishment of plantation economies reliant on slave labour. In Europe, it contributed to economic growth and the accumulation of wealth, which helped fuel the Industrial Revolution.

Understanding the triangular trade is crucial for GCSE History students as it highlights the interconnectedness of continents and the profound human cost of economic systems. It also provides context for the development of modern economies and the long-lasting effects of slavery and colonialism.