History The Triangular Trade Questions
The African kingdoms and traders played a significant role in the Triangular Trade. They were involved in the initial capture and enslavement of Africans, which was the first leg of the trade. African kingdoms such as the Kingdom of Dahomey, Ashanti Empire, and Kingdom of Kongo actively participated in the slave trade by capturing and selling enslaved Africans to European traders.
These African kingdoms and traders benefited economically from the slave trade as it provided them with valuable goods such as firearms, textiles, and other European manufactured goods. They used these goods to strengthen their military power and expand their territories.
Additionally, African traders played a crucial role in the middle passage, which was the second leg of the Triangular Trade. They transported enslaved Africans from the African coast to the Americas, where they were sold to European plantation owners. African traders often used small boats and canoes to transport enslaved Africans to larger European slave ships anchored offshore.
Overall, the African kingdoms and traders were integral to the Triangular Trade as they facilitated the capture, enslavement, and transportation of Africans, while also benefiting economically from the trade.