The document describes the triangular trade system that developed between England, its North American colonies, Africa, and the West Indies. Raw materials from the colonies were exported to England, where they were used to manufacture goods that were then shipped to Africa and the West Indies. Enslaved Africans purchased on the coast of Africa made up the third leg of the triangle, transported via the brutal Middle Passage to the colonies and West Indies to be sold and used as slaves, completing the cycle of trade. The system was driven by European mercantilist policies that aimed to accumulate wealth for the parent countries.

1. Triangular
Trade

2. Vocabulary
• Export
• Import
• Mercantilism
• Natural resources
• Raw material
• Manufactured goods

3. Mercantilism
• The idea that a nation should
try to build up wealth (GOLD
and SILVER)by exporting more
than it imports.
• Colonies are created to
provide natural resources and
raw materials to the parent
country.
• The colonies could only trade
with its parent country, so that
all wealth would go to the
parent country.

4. Triangular
Trade
• A pattern of trade developed between England, the 13 Colonies,
Africa, and the West Indies.
– Colonies provide Raw Materials to parent country
– Parent country makes manufactured good from raw materials
– Manufactured goods shipped to markets around the world
including the colonies.

6. Transatlantic Slave Trade
• The portion of Triangular Trade carrying
slaves from Africa to the Caribbean and
the Colonies was known as the Middle
Passage.
• During the journey, slaves experienced
Cruel treatment, poor sanitary conditions,
starvation, disease, and overcrowding.
• “...two of my wearied countrymen who
were chained together, preferring death
to such a life of misery, somehow made
through the nettings and jumped into the
sea...” Olaudah Equiano

8. Navigation Laws (1650-1763)
• 13 Colonies could only trade with
England on English ships and must
pass through English ports.
• If the Colonies traded with another
country there were extra taxes
added on to the price.
• The Colonies could make more
money if they traded with other
countries.
• Many Colonial merchants would
often illegally trade (smuggle)with
other countries.