Transatlantic Slave Trade
The slave trade across the Atlantic Ocean
The Transatlantic Slave Trade
From the 1500s to 1800s, millions of Africans were captured and shipped across the Atlantic to work as slaves in the Americas. This triangular trade went between Europe, Africa and the Americas. About 12 million Africans were enslaved.
Example
The Triangular Trade
Leg 1: Europe → Africa: Ships carried guns, cloth, alcohol
Leg 2 (Middle Passage): Africa → Americas: Enslaved people packed into ships
Leg 3: Americas → Europe: Sugar, cotton, tobacco
Conditions on slave ships were horrific — many died during the crossing.
Note
Remember
The slave trade was one of the greatest crimes in history. It destroyed families, communities and African economies. Its effects are still felt today in racism and inequality.
Key Vocabulary
Slave tradeThe business of capturing and selling people as slaves
Middle PassageThe journey of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic
AbolitionThe act of ending slavery by law
Triangular tradeTrade route between Europe, Africa and the Americas
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Slave trade
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