From the 17
Century till the late 19
Century, Africa went through an astronomical
change. This change did not affect just Africa, however; effects were far-reaching, to other
nations. These other countries include many in Europe, Brazil, the Caribbean Islands, as well as
the up and coming American Colonies. As each country was becoming more advanced through
modernization as well as industrialization, a steady and cheap labor force was in high demand.
Seeing how indentured servitude and natives did not meet the demand or the employer’s needs,
wealthy land owners turned their attention towards Africa. At the same time though, particular
goods were being manufactured across the Atlantic. With the demand of slaves and more refined
products being produced, a triangular trading system was born. During this time, the concept of
this particular trading system seemed as if each country was going to benefit but, on the contrary,
it led to the horrible treatment of Africans.
Seeing how Europe primarily had control over their own nation as well as the extremely
valuable natural resources of the American colonies until 1776, a large labor force would need to
be behind them.
With a favorable climate, agriculture was best suited in the Middle Western
hemisphere. “The eighteenth-century interest in slavery derived from the nature of the
mercantilist imperial structures that supported the production of tropical staples through
Africa was the source of this labor.” (Littlefield, 1) Slaves from Africa were
primarily traded to the American colonies, the Caribbean Islands, and Brazil.
This was the first
leg of the triangle.
In return, Europe would receive sugar, tobacco, and cotton which would be
used to make highly sought after goods such as textiles, rum, and many others, completing the
other leg of the triangle.
Wealthy groups of individuals in Africa would then receive these goods
in exchange for the export of slaves; thus, completing the triangle.
Without knowing anything from history, this would sound as if everyone was benefitting
from this trading style but in reality, millions of lives were lost due to the horrific treatment of
African as well as racial targeting.
Up to the 18
century, 60 percent of the slaves were taken
from the Western African coast.
The region where the exportation was the highest ranged from