slave trade triangle

Slave Trade Triangle Map

The slave trade triangle, also known as the Atlantic slave trade, is a pathway, like a triangle, that Europeans took when they traded with Africans, took African slaves to America, and produced Cotton and Tobacco, etc, that the slaves picked. The slave trade occurred from 1600- 1865, and was set up to trade guns for slaves.

the first passage: The first passage was from Europe to Africa. This passage consisted of large ships travelling to Africa. On board these ships were cargo, consisting of Guns and other European weapons.

The Middle Passage: This was the passage where the trade happened. Africans were taken to the Caribbean and sold off to buyers, to be made into slaves. They were bartered for ship loads of Tobacco and Cotton. Whilst on the ships, Slaves were made to dance, to be humiliated. If you tried to rebel and escape, you were thrown overboard and killed. Slaves who did not obey what they were told to were tortured and whipped. The whips had one or multiple tips, and the slaves were whipped to the point of the skin on their back opening, then salt was rubbed into the wound. The same thing happened once in america. The first slaves into USA were taken into Charleston, they were cleaned, and dressed, then sold at auctions.

the third passage: In the third passage, materials like cotton and tobacco that the slaves picked were put onto ships, and shipped off to Europe, and the entire cycle began one again.


This cycle lasted 265 years, but today, there are more slaves than there were during the slave trade triangle, despite the fact that in many countries, slavery is illegal. The most interesting thing i discovered during this topic was honestly the ways these slaves were tortured, on the ships, and during their time as a slave. Yes, it was absolutely cruel, but the topic in general is interesting to learn about, although it disgusts me to think that people believe that this sort of thing is okay, when it clearly is not. Why did i find this certain element interesting? Well, to be quite frank, it was because of the methods of torture. I found them to be very interesting, and cruel.