Slavery was very common in different parts of the world during the 1500's. Many countries used it because they needed people to do a lot of work for a small amount of pay. As Islam began to spread in Africa, slavery became the most efficient way to get work done. The Muslims transported the South Africans to Northern Africa and Asia (Muslim territory). The Islamic law about regarding slaves was not as strict as other places around the world. They could get out of slavery by marrying into a family of Muslims or work off their title as a slave. The Europeans began to buy these slaves from the Muslims and put them to work in the Americas. There were European advantages that came with buying these slaves. The slaves had already adapted to the warm climate (the American climate was similar to where they used to live in Africa), they had strong immune systems and could fight off disease, they were very strong and hardworking, and they could not escape a foreign land. Triangle trade was an efficient way to trade slaves and other goods throughout many different places. The trade worked in a triangle, sending slaves from Africa to the Americas, from the Americas to England and from England to Africa.
The slave trade between all of these countries had an effect it's effect on other places, as well. Although the slave trade that occurred back in the 1500's is looked upon in a negative way, it did benefit certain people. The slave trade created an economy for mostly all trading countries. This economy came from trading the slaves for goods or paying for them. The exotic goods were valuable in countries that didn't have these resources. The most common goods that were traded for slaves were cotton, brass pans, and guns. Places like Brazil became very wealthy from sugarcane and alcohol. (Bristol City Council. "Trade Goods for the Slave Trade." ). The slaves were also a form of cheap labor, so there was no taxation or economic issues. Another major effect the slave trade had on the New World is one we still see in today's society. The fact that African American slaves were working for Caucasians originally created "social classes", dividing the blacks and the whites. Segregation is still prominent in our century. The slave trade effected the Europe by indirectly causing the Industrial Revolution. Cotton was a main item that was traded, but was also tedious work. The cotton mill was eventually invented to produce cloth from this cotton. This tool also made Europe very rich. (Hardy, William. "Riches and Misery: The Consequences of the Atlantic Slave Trade."). All of this important trade eventually led to the Colombian Exchange and the ideas of mercantilism and capitalism.
The slave trade between all of these countries had an effect it's effect on other places, as well. Although the slave trade that occurred back in the 1500's is looked upon in a negative way, it did benefit certain people. The slave trade created an economy for mostly all trading countries. This economy came from trading the slaves for goods or paying for them. The exotic goods were valuable in countries that didn't have these resources. The most common goods that were traded for slaves were cotton, brass pans, and guns. Places like Brazil became very wealthy from sugarcane and alcohol. (Bristol City Council. "Trade Goods for the Slave Trade." ). The slaves were also a form of cheap labor, so there was no taxation or economic issues. Another major effect the slave trade had on the New World is one we still see in today's society. The fact that African American slaves were working for Caucasians originally created "social classes", dividing the blacks and the whites. Segregation is still prominent in our century. The slave trade effected the Europe by indirectly causing the Industrial Revolution. Cotton was a main item that was traded, but was also tedious work. The cotton mill was eventually invented to produce cloth from this cotton. This tool also made Europe very rich. (Hardy, William. "Riches and Misery: The Consequences of the Atlantic Slave Trade."). All of this important trade eventually led to the Colombian Exchange and the ideas of mercantilism and capitalism.