Historically triangular trade was a term used to describe the trans-Atlantic trade route that had three parts or "sides" to the "triangle": [[Africa]] to the Americas to transport [[slave]]s, the Americas to Europe to transport raw materials, and Europe to Africa to trade finished goods for the purchase of slaves. It was developed by the [[Portuguese]] in the 16th century, but later used by Britain, France, Holland, Colonial America and the other maritime nations of Europe. | Historically triangular trade was a term used to describe the trans-Atlantic trade route that had three parts or "sides" to the "triangle": [[Africa]] to the Americas to transport [[slave]]s, the Americas to Europe to transport raw materials, and Europe to Africa to trade finished goods for the purchase of slaves. It was developed by the [[Portuguese]] in the 16th century, but later used by Britain, France, Holland, Colonial America and the other maritime nations of Europe. |