What was the primary function of the triangular trade in the Atlantic economy?

The primary function of the triangular trade in the Atlantic economy was to connect Europe, Africa, and the Americas through trade. This system facilitated the exchange of goods, resources, and people among these three regions, creating a network that would have profound economic and social impacts.

One leg of the triangular trade route involved ships sailing from Europe to Africa, where they would exchange manufactured goods for slaves. From Africa, the ships would then transport enslaved individuals to the Americas, where they were forced to work on plantations, particularly in the production of cash crops like sugar and tobacco. Finally, the third leg of the triangle would see ships return to Europe laden with raw materials produced by the enslaved labor, enriching European economies and fueling further trade.

The triangular trade was vital in establishing colonial economies in the Americas that relied heavily on the labor of enslaved Africans, making it a central element of the Atlantic economy during this period.