The Triangle Trade was an important system during the time when America was being colonized. It involved trading goods, slaves, and raw materials across the Atlantic Ocean. Here are the main items that were traded:
Slaves: Around 12.5 million Africans were taken from their homes and sent to the Americas between the 1500s and 1800s. Of these, about 10.7 million survived the harsh journey known as the Middle Passage.
Sugar: The Caribbean became a leading producer of sugar. The amount of sugar made from sugar cane grew dramatically, from 44,000 tons in 1640 to over 3 million tons by the early 1800s. Sugar was very important because it was profitable and in high demand in Europe.
Tobacco: Tobacco was a major cash crop in Virginia and Maryland. Exports of tobacco increased quickly, going from 7 million pounds in 1638 to 80 million pounds by 1710. This growth helped the economy in the colonies.
Molasses: Molasses, which came from the Caribbean, was key for making rum. In the 1700s, New England imported more than 2 million gallons of molasses each year.
Cotton: Although cotton became important later on, by the 1800s, it made up over 50% of all U.S. exports from southern plantations.
These traded goods were crucial because they helped the economy grow, made colonial economies richer, and showed how the mercantilist system worked. This system meant that European countries relied heavily on resources from their colonies to gain wealth.
The Triangle Trade was an important system during the time when America was being colonized. It involved trading goods, slaves, and raw materials across the Atlantic Ocean. Here are the main items that were traded:
Slaves: Around 12.5 million Africans were taken from their homes and sent to the Americas between the 1500s and 1800s. Of these, about 10.7 million survived the harsh journey known as the Middle Passage.
Sugar: The Caribbean became a leading producer of sugar. The amount of sugar made from sugar cane grew dramatically, from 44,000 tons in 1640 to over 3 million tons by the early 1800s. Sugar was very important because it was profitable and in high demand in Europe.
Tobacco: Tobacco was a major cash crop in Virginia and Maryland. Exports of tobacco increased quickly, going from 7 million pounds in 1638 to 80 million pounds by 1710. This growth helped the economy in the colonies.
Molasses: Molasses, which came from the Caribbean, was key for making rum. In the 1700s, New England imported more than 2 million gallons of molasses each year.
Cotton: Although cotton became important later on, by the 1800s, it made up over 50% of all U.S. exports from southern plantations.
These traded goods were crucial because they helped the economy grow, made colonial economies richer, and showed how the mercantilist system worked. This system meant that European countries relied heavily on resources from their colonies to gain wealth.