The triangle trade

The Triangle Trade, also known as the triangular trade, is the name given to a system of trade that occurred during the colonial era in American History. New Englanders traded extensively, exporting many commodities such as fish, whale oil, furs, and rum. However, one distinct route that formed was the triangular trade (Kurlansky, 33-41). The patterns of the triangle trade were actually this: new Englanders manufactured and shipped rum to the west coast of Africa in exchange for slaves, the slaves were taken on the “Middle Passage” to the West Indies where they were sold for molasses and money, and the molasses would be sent to New England to make rum and start the entire system of trade all over again (Morgan, 64-77).

It is important to note that the triangle trade was not an “official” or rigid system of trade, but instead a name that has been given to this triangular route of trade that existed between these three places across the Atlantic. Further, other triangle-shaped trade routes existed at this time. However, when individuals speak of the triangle trade, they are typically referring to this system. Some argue that the Triangle Trade was "only" a product of its times. Others, even at the beginning of the evolution of the system, thought it morally reprehensible (Kurlansky, 33-41). Economically, the middle passage didn't even make many fortunes for ship owners. Maybe if the individual slave had been assigned more worth, less atrocities might have occurred. Certainly, this was one of the bleaker episodes in human history and human dignity (Kurlansky, 33-41).

Triangle trade is a traditional shipping practice describing a pattern of trading amongst three ports where the country with port A does not need the commodities of the country with port B. Rather than traveling empty in one direction A to b or B to A, a third port is introduced, in a country where commodities are available and desired. So the cargo ship plies from A to B, offloads and sells A's commodities in port B, then plies from B to C, offloading and selling B's commodities at C. The ship then completes the triangle, by going from C back to A with C's commodities to sell at A. As well as making markets and avoiding losses because of traveling empty, such a pattern can be advantageous to a sailing vessel, taking maximum advantage of "trade winds." (Morgan, ...