The

Triangular
Trade
(Trans-Atlantic Slave
Trade)
DEFINITION

Triangular Trade:
Trade routes
between
Africa, Europe
and the
Americas
during the
Atlantic Slave
Trade.
Video 
 Spain, Portugal,
& England

 Theyneeded slaves to
work on their plantations
in South America, the
Caribbean, & North
America
ENGLAND

 Atbeginning, only a few slaves came

to English colonies.

 Butwhen tobacco, cotton & rice

plantations grew in the colonies,
slave trade increased.

 Britainwas given control over much

of slave trade  had a monopoly
Maps of the Triangular Trade
M
id
dl
e
Pa
ss
ag
e

r t a lit y rate**
mo
**lower
Leg One: THE OUTWARD
PASSAGE
 Shipsleft Europe loaded with guns, tools,
textiles (manufactured goods)
 Crews with guns went ashore to capture
slaves & purchase slaves from tribal leaders.
 Slaves were obtained by:
1. Kidnapping
2. Trading
3. Tributes (gifts)
4. People in debt
5. Criminals
6. Prisoners of tribal wars
Goree, or Slave-Stick

A forked branch which opens exactly to the

size of a neck so the head can't pass through
it.

 The forked branch is pierced with two holes so

that an iron pin comes across the neck of the
slave . . ., so that the smallest movement is
sufficient to stop him and even to strangle him
Goree, or Slave-Stick
 Forced Participation

 African
Chiefs resisted in the beginning;
BUT needed weapons for defense.

 Europeans too powerful; resistance was

unsuccessful

 Ifchiefs did not supply slaves, they were

threatened to be taken as slaves.
 Slaves were held in
prisons along the west
coast of Africa.

 They were waiting to

put on slaves ships.

 Those that journeyed

from the interior and
were not fit for the
ship were left on the
shores to die
Fort
Elmina
 Leg Two: THE MIDDLE
PASSAGE
- Voyage from Africa to Americas
- Ships sailed across Atlantic Ocean from Africa
to Americas, carrying slaves & gold
- Journey took 5-12 weeks
- DISGUSTING CONDITIONS
- Some Africans tried to jump ship, refused to
eat & rebelled.
- Loss of slave’s life = loss of $ for sailors.
Leg Two: THE MIDDLE
PASSAGE
 “Loose packing”: captains took
fewer slaves in hope to reduce
sickness & death.

 “Tightpacking”: captains carried

as many slaves as their ship could
hold  many died on voyage
Click picture for
Leg Three: THE
HOMEWARD PASSAGE
 Africans sold at auctions in Americas

 Moneyfrom sale would buy cargo of

raw materials: cotton, sugar, spices,
rum, chocolate or tobacco.

 InEurope, converted raw materials into

finished products.
Auctions (don’t write down)
 There were 3 ways slaves were auctioned
off:
1. Public Auctions:
- They put tar on the slaves to hide any
sores and cuts
- Slaves were inspected
- An auction to took place and the higher
bidder would get to purchase the slave.
- Bids were taken as long as an inch of a
candle burned.
- Slaves were branded
- Families were separated
- They were given a European name.
Auctions (don’t write
down)

2. Private Auctions:
- Similar to public auctions
- They were indoors and red
markers would be placed on
the door to indicate an
auction.
Auctions (don’t write
down)
3. A Scramble:
- They would take place on the
docks or on the deck of the ship
- There would be a fixed price per
head
- Slave owners would go in and
grab who they wanted to
purchase.
AUCTIONS
 Americanborn slaves who had skills were
most expensive
 Africanborn slaves were less $, as they
had to be “broken in”
 Age, sex, & skills determined cost
 Slaves with many scars considered too
rebellious

3 ways: public auction, private

auction, or scramble
Click for Auction Video
 SLAVERY ABOLISHED IN
BRITISH EMPIRE
 1807 = slave trade abolished in British Empire 
no slaves carried from Africa in British ships.

 1834 = Emancipation Act: slaves under 6 yrs.

old freed; field hands over 6 worked for 6 more
years; house slaves worked 10 more years

 Britaingave 20 million pounds in compensation

to former slave owners (slaves received nothing)

 1838 all slaves given complete freedom

 Slavery in USA not abolished until 1865

Slave Trade Overview
Video
The Atlantic Slave Trade
in Two Minutes
 http://www.slate.com/articles/life/the_history_of
_american_slavery/2015/06/animated_interactiv
e_of_the_history_of_the_atlantic_slave_trade.ht
ml