Triangle Trade
Definition
The Triangle Trade refers to a historical trading system that took place between the 16th and 19th centuries, involving three regions: Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Goods were shipped from Europe to Africa, slaves from Africa to the Americas, and raw materials from the Americas back to Europe.
Analogy
Imagine a game of pass-the-parcel where there are three players. Player A passes a gift to player B, who then passes another gift to player C, who finally passes yet another gift back to player A. This is similar to how goods moved in the Triangle Trade.
Related terms
Middle Passage: This was part of the trade where Africans were densely packed onto ships and transported across the Atlantic Ocean.
Colonialism: The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.
Mercantilism: An economic theory that trade generates wealth and is stimulated by accumulation of profitable balances.
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