What are some important facts about the triangular trade?

The triangular trade was a historical trade system that occurred from the 16th to the 19th centuries, primarily involving Europe, Africa, and the Americas. It consisted of three legs: European ships transported manufactured goods to Africa, where they were exchanged for enslaved people; then, enslaved Africans were shipped to the Americas (the Middle Passage) to work on plantations; finally, raw materials like sugar, tobacco, and cotton were sent back to Europe. This trade significantly contributed to the economic growth of European nations while perpetuating the brutal institution of slavery and causing immense suffering in Africa and the Americas. The triangular trade's legacy continues to impact global socio-economic dynamics and discussions around race and human rights today.