Question

Explain how the slave trade from Africa to the Americas profited its promoters. How did this migration chain benefit one group while hurting another?

Answer 1

In the Atlantic triangular network, slaves were sold for a profit in the Americas, where they provided a free source of labor to produce raw materials. These raw materials often were sold for a profit in Europe, where they were used to produce finished goods. The finished goods often were exchanged for slaves from Africa. This cyclical process benefitted traders while exploiting many African populations.