Describe the journey of a slave from Africa to the Americas during the Triangular Trade.

History The Triangular Trade Questions



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Describe the journey of a slave from Africa to the Americas during the Triangular Trade.

During the Triangular Trade, the journey of a slave from Africa to the Americas typically involved three stages.

Firstly, the slaves were captured or purchased by European slave traders along the coast of West Africa. These traders would often rely on local African tribes or kingdoms to provide them with slaves. The captured individuals were then held in slave forts or barracoons, where they were kept in harsh conditions until they were ready to be transported.

Secondly, the slaves were packed tightly into slave ships, which were known as "floating coffins" due to the horrendous conditions onboard. The Middle Passage, as this part of the journey was called, was a treacherous and brutal voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. Slaves endured overcrowding, disease, malnutrition, and physical abuse during this leg of the journey, which could last for several weeks or even months.

Finally, upon arrival in the Americas, the slaves were sold at slave markets to plantation owners or other buyers. They were then forced to work on plantations, mines, or in households, enduring backbreaking labor and often experiencing further mistreatment and abuse.

Overall, the journey of a slave from Africa to the Americas during the Triangular Trade was a traumatic and dehumanizing experience, marked by capture, confinement, and forced labor.