The triangular trade is something that not many people know about in spite of it being one of the most brutal types of trade that has ever occurred. You might be wondering what made it so important? Well, we first have to learn how it worked during the seventeenth century.
Everything starts in Europe, where an ambitious young man wants to conquer money and fame. The first step in becoming rich is buying a ship capable of carrying about a hundred men inside and a faithful crew. After that the journey is ready to start.
The first stop is Africa. The captain visits the colonies of his country in which he exchanges products like metals, tools and firearms for slaves. When he reaches the most west tip of Africa he with his crew embark on a transatlantic "trip" to the Americas.
Crossing the Atlantic Ocean is really challenging, especially for the slaves. Water and food shortages may lead to all of the crew dying either to starvation or to diseases. If they manage to survive, other problems will hunt them because the Caribbean is full of pirates willing to loot the ship while it sells its slaves for much more money than the amount they bought them.
When they reach the coast of Florida the travelers in a ship filled with gold and silver can finally rest because the cost of the USA which was controlled mostly by the UK is a safe zone for British ships. After the relatively calm stay in British waters the sailors have to return to Europe.
The reason it became so popular is that it was really profitable to the point where one trip could last you your whole life worth of money. For example, that captain, who returned to Europe, would be a millionaire. So this is the story of the type of trade that improved the lives of some people while ruining the lives of others.
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