What were the environmental impacts of the Triangular Trade?

History The Triangular Trade Questions



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What were the environmental impacts of the Triangular Trade?

The Triangular Trade had several environmental impacts. One major impact was the deforestation and depletion of natural resources in Africa, as large quantities of timber were needed to build ships and support the growing demand for goods. Additionally, the cultivation of cash crops such as sugar, tobacco, and cotton in the Americas led to extensive land clearing and soil degradation. The introduction of new species, such as rats and mosquitoes, also had detrimental effects on local ecosystems. Lastly, the transportation of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic resulted in high mortality rates and the spread of diseases, which had indirect environmental consequences.