Britain was one of the most successful and dominant countries that participated in the transatlantic slave trade. This trade route was triangle shaped and would go from Europe to Africa, from Africa to the Americas, and then from there back to Europe again. Merchants in Europe exported goods such as gold and spices in exchange for African American people who would be working as slaves. The slaves were then transported to North and South America to be traded for cotton, tobacco, and sugar, which were then shipped back to Europe (hence the triangle trade) (Archives). The concept of buying African American people to then buy and sell along with other goods dehumanized those with darker skin and created the idea of them being an “other.” This will inevitably lead to a long, exhausting fight against systematic racism and discrimination, one that some may argue we are still battling today.
Archives, The National. “The National Archives - Homepage.” The National Archives, www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/bri….
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