Question

question 15 of 25

which statement best describes the system of triangular trade that developed during the 1500s?

a. europeans used enslaved people in the americas to harvest crops to send to africa in exchange for horses.
b. europeans purchased hand-made american textiles and clothing to send to africa in exchange for rice.
c. europeans supplied americans with arms and ammunition in exchange for enslaved people from africa.
d. europeans extracted resources from the americas and sent goods to africa in exchange for enslaved people.

Explanation:

Analyze the triangular trade system

The triangular trade was a historical transatlantic trading network operating from the late 16th to early 19th centuries. It connected three regions: Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Trace the flow of goods and people

The system operated in three distinct legs:

1. Europe to Africa: European merchants brought manufactured goods, weapons, ammunition, and textiles to West Africa.
2. Africa to the Americas (The Middle Passage): These manufactured goods were traded for captured and enslaved Africans, who were transported across the Atlantic.
3. Americas to Europe: Enslaved people were forced to work on plantations, extracting raw materials and agricultural resources (such as sugar, tobacco, and cotton). These raw materials were then shipped back to Europe to be processed into manufactured goods, completing the cycle.

Evaluate the given options

• Option A: Incorrect. Enslaved people harvested crops in the Americas, but these raw materials were sent to Europe, not Africa in exchange for horses.
• Option B: Incorrect. The Americas exported raw agricultural materials (like sugar and tobacco) to Europe, not hand-made textiles and clothing to Africa.
• Option C: Incorrect. Europeans supplied African rulers and traders (not Americans) with arms and ammunition in exchange for enslaved people.
• Option D: Correct. Europeans extracted valuable raw resources from the Americas, shipped them back to Europe, and used manufactured goods/wealth to trade with African partners in exchange for enslaved people.

Answer:

• (A) Europeans used enslaved people in the Americas to harvest crops to send to Africa in exchange for horses.
• (B) Europeans purchased hand-made American textiles and clothing to send to Africa in exchange for rice.
• (C) Europeans supplied Americans with arms and ammunition in exchange for enslaved people from Africa.
• (D) Europeans extracted resources from the Americas and sent goods to Africa in exchange for enslaved people. (Correct answer)