The Atlantic Trading System, also known as the Triangular Trade, began in 1526 and lasted from the 16th century to the 19th century. It connected three countries’ economies. It involved Africa, America, Caribbean, Europe, and the Indian Ocean. Mainly, Africans were victimized. The role of silver, European merchants and the economic and social effects of the trade changed those countries greatly. It is known as the “Triangular Trade” because of the geographical path the ships took to transport goods. Sugar, tobacco, and cotton went to Europe. Textiles, rum and manufactured goods went to Africa. Slaves went to the Americas. (A, F) There were three simple yet long steps of the trading process. Firstly, the ships left Western Europe for Africa with goods to trade for slaves. This exchange lasted from one week to several months. The slaves were then transported to America to be sold throughout the country. Finally, the products created by the slaves were brought back to Europe. The main exports were rum, sugar, molasses, weapons, and gun powder. The whole cycle lasted roughly eighteen months. (A) …show more content…
In Africa, the population dwindled and the slave trade prevented to future growth of the African economy. While Europe’s and Asia’s populations grew, Africa’s shrank. There was also slavery within Africa. This rose to catch up with the slave trade. Only on the eastern border of Africa, where the ships docked, did the cities prosper On the other hand, the economy in the New World flourished. Because of the many slaves working, more crops were grown and more goods were created. This meant more could be sold and quicker. New markets were opened in the colonies.