Triangular Trade Facts & Worksheets

Triangular trade was a system of trade that involved three destinations: Europe, Africa, and the Americas. It began in the 17th century and continued for over 200 years. The trade system involved the exchange of goods between three continents. Europeans would export goods such as manufactured goods and textiles to Africa. In Africa, they would trade these goods for enslaved people. The enslaved people would then be transported to the Americas, where they were sold to plantation owners.

See the fact file below for more information about the Triangular Trade or you can download our 34-page Triangular Trade worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY

• Triangular trade was a system of transatlantic commerce that originated in the 16th century and lasted until the 19th century.
• It involved a three-legged route connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas, driven by the demand for labor and resources in the New World.
• Raw materials from the Americas were shipped from Europe to Africa, enslaved people from Africa to the Americas, and sugar, tobacco, and other products from the Americas to Europe, where commodities were sold back to Africa.
• Triangular trade generated enormous profits for European merchants and colonial powers, contributing to the rise of capitalism and industrialized economies.
• However, it also caused immense human suffering and displacement, resulting in the deaths of millions of enslaved Africans and contributing to the devastating social, economic, and cultural impacts of slavery in the Americas.
• Abolitionist movements gained momentum in the 18th and 19th centuries, leading to the banning of the slave trade in many countries, including Britain in 1807 and the United States in 1808.
• The triangular trade system ended formally in the 19th century, but its legacy continues to shape global dynamics, including racial inequality, economic disparities, and the ongoing struggle for social justice and reparations.
• The timeline below shows the start and end of triangular trade:
• 1521 – The conquest of the Aztec Empire by Hernán Cortés and his conquistadors. Thousands of Spaniards arrived in the Americas, bringing a variety of diseases that were deadly to the Amerindians. The loss of life led Spaniards to turn to African slaves for labor.
• 1562 – John Hawkins became the first Englishman to make three voyages to Sierra Leone and transport 1,200 enslaved people to Hispaniola and St Domingue (Dominican Republic and Haiti).
• 1619 – The first enslaved Africans arrived in Virginia on the ship White Angel after the English had established British American colonies.
• 1651 – The English Navigation Act became law, requiring all goods and passengers going to or from England to travel on English ships. The English Navigation Act was enacted into law for the first time.
• 1763 – The end of the Seven Years’ War or French and Indian War.  Britain gained dominance over the slave trade in the Atlantic after defeating France, Spain, and Portugal.
• 1773 – The abolitionist movement began in the British Isles (specifically, England) with the formation of the Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade.
• 1775 – The American Revolutionary War, or the American War of Independence, started between the 13 British colonies and Great Britain.

The Transatlantic Slave Trade

• Sugar became a necessary product, and Barbados became the ideal location for growing successful sugarcane. Initially, Barbadian planters worked the sugarcane fields with prison laborers, indentured enslaved people, and Africans. 
• As the tiny farms evolved into more extensive plantations, however, more labor was necessary. Enslaved African Americans proved to be a low-cost labor force.
• During the 18th century, Britain became the leading participant in the transatlantic slave trade, carrying an estimated 3.1 million enslaved Africans. 
• Although 10-15% of Africans died during the trip, many enslaved people survived. Many Africans were sold to American colonies, with the Caribbean and Brazil receiving the most significant number of enslaved individuals. However, around 10-12 million enslaved people arrived in colonial America.

Mercantilism

• Mercantilism is a type of economic system used by European powers. Balancing imports and exports was critical because the system believed in a fixed amount of wealth. Colonial empires were used to import raw commodities that were then processed and exported for profit.
• This economic agenda would propel the triangular trading system. 
• This policy aimed to maintain a specified balance between exports and imports. For example, a country’s economy would profit from having more exports than imports. 
• The second phase of mercantilism centered on colonization and expansion, which provided mercantilists with access to natural resources and raw materials.
• Dependable labor was one of the most crucial commodities/resources required. Due to their experience in agriculture and slavery being a part of African society/norms, Africans had become a resource for the labor shortage. 
• However, Europe’s desire for cheap labor dehumanized enslaved Africans, turning them into another tradable item.

TRADE ROUTE

• Hawkins, like others, recognized the financial potential of triangular trade. As a result, merchants profited from all three components of the triangular commerce system. 
• The second stage, the Middle Passage, was the most profitable due to the colonies’ demand for inexpensive labor.
• The triangle trade route had three stages:

The Middle Passage

• The Middle Passage was the second part of the triangular trade route, by which millions of enslaved people were transported to the colonies by ship. 
• The conditions during the Middle Passage were inhumane and terrible. Depending on the time of year and weather conditions, the expedition could last anywhere from one to six months. 
• Enslaved people were purchased from African warlords and rulers and then readied for the perilous journey. 
• Enslaved people were forcibly marched to ships in Africa, where the sailors tied them together.
• Most ships pack as many Africans as possible inside the hull to increase profit. As a result, the conditions in the hull were deplorable. 
• Because of unsanitary conditions, diseases such as fever, smallpox, and dysentery became common. On the other hand, the sailors forced the hostages to exercise on deck and fed them only twice a day at best. 
• Some people refused to eat in an attempt to resist, which often resulted in force-feeding. Any hostages who perished on the voyage were thrown overboard. Historians believe that 10-15% of Africans died on slave voyages.

IMPORTANCE OF THE TRIANGULAR TRADE SYSTEM

• Triangular trade generated immense profits for European merchants, traders, and colonial powers. It fueled the growth of European economies and contributed to the rise of capitalism and the development of industrialized societies.
• Triangular trade opened up new markets and facilitated the exchange of goods and resources across the Atlantic Ocean. It led to the establishment of trade networks and the development of maritime technologies.
• Triangular trade provided the labor force and raw materials necessary for the growth of colonial economies in the Americas. It contributed to the production of sugar, tobacco, cotton, and other commodities in high demand in Europe.
• It facilitated the exchange of cultural ideas, traditions, and products between different regions of the world. It led to the spread of European languages, customs, and technologies to Africa and the Americas.

Economic Importance

• Triangular trade played a significant role in the development of global trade and the rise of capitalism. It generated immense profits for European merchants and colonial powers, contributing to the accumulation of wealth and the expansion of their economic influence.
  • Europe: Triangular trade provided European merchants access to raw materials and labor, fueling the growth of industries such as textiles, sugar, and tobacco. It also stimulated the development of shipbuilding, navigation, and financial institutions.
  • Africa: The trade of enslaved Africans was a major source of revenue for African rulers and traders who participated in the exchange. However, it also had devastating consequences for African societies, leading to depopulation, social disruption, and the perpetuation of violent conflicts.
  • Americas: The triangular trade provided the labor force necessary for the establishment of plantations and the production of cash crops in the Americas. It also contributed to the development of urban centers and the growth of colonial economies.

Social and Political Impacts

• The triangular trade had profound social and political impacts on all three continents.
  • Europe: The wealth generated from the triangular trade contributed to the rise of a new class of wealthy merchants and industrialists. It also fueled European expansionism and the establishment of colonial empires.
  • Africa: The trade of enslaved Africans disrupted African societies and contributed to the spread of diseases and cultural homogenization. It also led to the displacement of millions of people and the loss of traditional ways of life.
  • Americas: The triangular trade established the foundation for racial inequality and the exploitation of enslaved labor in the Americas. It contributed to the development of plantation systems and the formation of distinct racial and social hierarchies.

FUN FACTS

• Triangular trade was not always triangular. There were many variations of the trade route; some ships sailed from the Americas directly to Africa and back.
• The majority of enslaved Africans were transported to the Caribbean and Brazil, not to the United States. Only about 5% of enslaved Africans were brought to the United States.
• Triangular trade was not just about enslaved people. It was also a major trade route for other goods, such as sugar, tobacco, and rum.
• Triangular trade was a very profitable business. European merchants made huge profits from the slave trade, and the wealth generated from the trade helped to fuel the Industrial Revolution.
• Triangular trade had a devastating impact on Africa. It led to the depopulation of many African regions and the destruction of many African cultures.

Triangular Trade Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Triangular Trade across 34 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Triangular Trade. Triangular trade was a system of trade that involved three destinations: Europe, Africa, and the Americas. It began in the 17th century and continued for over 200 years.

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Triangular Trade Facts
2. Olaudah Equiano
3. Plantations
4. Voyage Search
5. Slave Trade Act
6. Trade Route Stages
7. Trade Systems
8. Trade Goods
9. Trade Route
10. Trade Timeline
11. Triangular Trade

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Triangular Trade?

The Triangular Trade was a historical trade system that operated between the 16th and 19th centuries, involving three main trading regions: Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The triangular nature of the trade routes formed a connected loop, with goods and slaves being exchanged among these regions.

What were the three main legs of the Triangular Trade?

The three main legs of the Triangular Trade were: a. Europe to Africa: European goods, such as textiles, guns, and metal goods, were transported to Africa. b. Africa to the Americas: African slaves were then transported to the Americas to work on plantations and in mines. c. Americas to Europe: American products, including raw materials like sugar, tobacco, and cotton, were shipped back to Europe.

What role did slavery play in the Triangular Trade?

Slavery was a fundamental and tragic aspect of the Triangular Trade. African slaves were captured and transported to the Americas to provide cheap labor for the cultivation of cash crops like sugar and tobacco. The conditions on the slave ships were deplorable, and millions of Africans suffered and died during the Middle Passage.

What were the economic consequences of the Triangular Trade?

The Triangular Trade had significant economic implications for the participating regions. Europe benefited from the trade by obtaining raw materials and generating profits from the sale of manufactured goods. The Americas thrived economically due to the labor-intensive cultivation of cash crops. However, the human cost of slavery and the exploitation of African labor had profound social and ethical consequences.

When did the Triangular Trade decline, and why?

The decline of the Triangular Trade began in the early 19th century due to various factors. Abolitionist movements gained momentum, leading to the outlawing of the transatlantic slave trade in many European countries. Additionally, technological advancements and changes in economic structures reduced the reliance on slave labor. The Industrial Revolution shifted the focus towards mechanized production, diminishing the economic importance of the slave trade. Abolition efforts eventually led to the end of legalized slavery in the Americas.

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