Triangular Slave Trade 5 th Grade

Introduction Between 1450 to 1850, Africans were transported across the Atlantic Ocean to the Western Hemisphere. Nearly twelve million Africans were exported from their native homeland, taken as prisoners of war, kidnapped, used as a form of tribute, or enslaved through various governmental systems. Taken mainly from a 3000 mile stretch along the west coast of Africa, most slaves were captured by fellow Africans and then sold to Europeans and Americans. The slaves were exported to the Americas via ship, crammed like sardines onto small shelves, sometimes only 18 inches high. Primarily these Africans were used on the American plantations or in mines. Following the invention of the cotton gin and with the growth of the sugar economy in the West Indies, African slaves became a vital part of the economy. Between 1450 to 1850, Africans were transported across the Atlantic Ocean to the Western Hemisphere. Nearly twelve million Africans were exported from their native homeland, taken as prisoners of war, kidnapped, used as a form of tribute, or enslaved through various governmental systems. Taken mainly from a 3000 mile stretch along the west coast of Africa, most slaves were captured by fellow Africans and then sold to Europeans and Americans. The slaves were exported to the Americas via ship, crammed like sardines onto small shelves, sometimes only 18 inches high. Primarily these Africans were used on the American plantations or in mines. Following the invention of the cotton gin and with the growth of the sugar economy in the West Indies, African slaves became a vital part of the economy.

Stages of the Triangular Trade The first stage of the Triangular Trade involved taking manufactured goods from Europe to Africa: cloth, spirit, tobacco, beads, metal goods, and guns. The guns were used to help expand empires and obtain more slaves (until they were finally used against European colonizers). These goods were exchanged for African slaves. The first stage of the Triangular Trade involved taking manufactured goods from Europe to Africa: cloth, spirit, tobacco, beads, metal goods, and guns. The guns were used to help expand empires and obtain more slaves (until they were finally used against European colonizers). These goods were exchanged for African slaves. The second stage of the Triangular Trade (the middle passage) involved shipping the slaves to the Americas. The second stage of the Triangular Trade (the middle passage) involved shipping the slaves to the Americas. The third, and final, stage of the Triangular Trade involved the return to Europe with the produce from the slave-labor plantations: cotton, sugar, tobacco, molasses and rum. The third, and final, stage of the Triangular Trade involved the return to Europe with the produce from the slave-labor plantations: cotton, sugar, tobacco, molasses and rum.

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

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

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

Slave Ship Slave Inspection

Traveling From the Interior

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