Triangular Slave TradeTriangular Slave Trade

55thth Grade Grade

IntroductionIntroduction Between 1450 to 1850, Africans were transported Between 1450 to 1850, Africans were transported

across the Atlantic Ocean to the Western Hemisphere. across the Atlantic Ocean to the Western Hemisphere. Nearly twelve million Africans were exported from Nearly twelve million Africans were exported from their native homeland, taken as prisoners of war, their native homeland, taken as prisoners of war, kidnapped, used as a form of tribute, or enslaved kidnapped, used as a form of tribute, or enslaved through various governmental systems. Taken mainly through various governmental systems. Taken mainly from a 3000 mile stretch along the west coast of from a 3000 mile stretch along the west coast of Africa, most slaves were captured by fellow Africans Africa, most slaves were captured by fellow Africans and then sold to Europeans and Americans. The slaves and then sold to Europeans and Americans. The slaves were exported to the Americas via ship, crammed like were exported to the Americas via ship, crammed like sardines onto small shelves, sometimes only 18 inches sardines onto small shelves, sometimes only 18 inches high. Primarily these Africans were used on the high. Primarily these Africans were used on the American plantations or in mines. Following the American plantations or in mines. Following the invention of the cotton gin and with the growth of the invention of the cotton gin and with the growth of the sugar economy in the West Indies, African slaves sugar economy in the West Indies, African slaves became a vital part of the economy. became a vital part of the economy.

Stages of the Triangular TradeStages of the Triangular Trade The first stage of the Triangular Trade involved The first stage of the Triangular Trade involved

taking manufactured goods from Europe to Africa: taking manufactured goods from Europe to Africa: cloth, spirit, tobacco, beads, metal goods, and cloth, spirit, tobacco, beads, metal goods, and guns. The guns were used to help expand empires guns. The guns were used to help expand empires and obtain more slaves (until they were finally used and obtain more slaves (until they were finally used against European colonizers). These goods were against European colonizers). These goods were exchanged for African slaves.exchanged for African slaves.

The second stage of the Triangular Trade (the The second stage of the Triangular Trade (the middle passage) involved shipping the slaves to the middle passage) involved shipping the slaves to the Americas.Americas.

The third, and final, stage of the Triangular Trade The third, and final, stage of the Triangular Trade involved the return to Europe with the produce involved the return to Europe with the produce from the slave-labor plantations: cotton, sugar, from the slave-labor plantations: cotton, sugar, tobacco, molasses and rum.tobacco, molasses and rum.

Trading of SlavesTrading of Slaves

The Africans were sold in many ways. The Africans were sold in many ways. They were sold to traders by other They were sold to traders by other Africans, and eventually forced into Africans, and eventually forced into slavery by men with guns. From slavery by men with guns. From here, slaves were placed aboard here, slaves were placed aboard ships to be taken across the Atlantic ships to be taken across the Atlantic on a voyage that was eventually on a voyage that was eventually coined "the middle passage."coined "the middle passage."

Middle PassageMiddle Passage

The Middle Passage was the route of The Middle Passage was the route of sea going journeys of Africans taken sea going journeys of Africans taken from their Native land, to the shores of from their Native land, to the shores of the Caribbean and America, where they the Caribbean and America, where they were invariably destined to an were invariably destined to an existence of institutional slavery. The existence of institutional slavery. The simple fact of humans being stolen from simple fact of humans being stolen from their homeland and transported as their homeland and transported as cargo to the slave markets of the New cargo to the slave markets of the New World defies any concept of moral World defies any concept of moral acceptability. acceptability.

Middle PassageMiddle Passage

The middle passage of the Trans-The middle passage of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade consisted of Atlantic slave trade consisted of immeasurable brutality. Africans immeasurable brutality. Africans were chained and packed into were chained and packed into quarters unfit for movement or quarters unfit for movement or proper breathing. The only hope of proper breathing. The only hope of escape rested in suicide by jumping escape rested in suicide by jumping overboard. overboard.

Slave ShipSlave Ship Slave Inspection Slave Inspection

Traveling From the InteriorTraveling From the Interior

ReferenceReference

http://0.tqn.com/d/africanhistory/1/0/http://0.tqn.com/d/africanhistory/1/0/7/M/TriangleTrade001.jpg7/M/TriangleTrade001.jpg

http://africanhistory.about.com/od/slahttp://africanhistory.about.com/od/slaveryimages/ig/Slavery-Images-Gallerveryimages/ig/Slavery-Images-Gallery/y/