Latin American Triangular Trade

Throughout time societies have progressed through the collaboration of diverse ethnic groups, which exchanged goods and knowledge, as well as numerous other aspects. By trading, diverse societies are impacted economically, resulting in a myriad of alterations. Although, certain aspects throughout history remain constant as well, regardless of the formation of new civilizations. The period from 1500 to 1750, Latin America, also including the Caribbean, were involved interregional trade with a myriad of diverse regions. As a result of the desire to produce sugar on sugar plantations within Latin America, numerous slaves were imported from Africa to Latin America, as additional labor was required. Economically, the triangular trade led to the

transport of African slaves from Africa to Latin America by Europe, in order for Latin America to produce sugar as well as other goods and consequently trade with Europe.

Nonetheless, Latin America required the assistance of Europe in order to produce finished goods for trading, as Latin America was owned by a European country, causing it to possess the same same social hierarchy throughout this era.

From 1500-1750, Latin America incorporated numerous foreigners as a result of European rule within the region. The expansion of sugar plantations in the West Indies required a large quantity of labor, causing African slaves to be imported to Latin America in order to produce sugar. As a result of the establishment of the Atlantic Circuit, which connected Europe, Africa, and the America in terms of trade, Europeans acquired slaves from Africa, and transported them to Latin America in order to promote labor for producing sugar. Therefore, the sugar manufactured by Latin America was ultimately traded with Europe in order to obtain profit.

Additionally, although initially a diminutive quantity of slaves was imported to the Latin American sugar plantations, as time progressed, a myriad of slaves was imported, as individuals comprehended the benefits of slave labor towards their economy. Furthermore, the resources the individuals within Latin America exported, were altered during this time period as well. For example, after the colonization of the Caribbean by the Aztecs, individuals desired in attaining gold, lumber, silver, and many other raw materials as well. The Latin Americans, however, comprehended that tobacco, cotton, and sugar were essential to crops to produce, as it enabled regions to obtain profit through trade during the seventeenth century in Europe. Plus, by providing Europe with numerous resources during this era, Latin America implicitly assisted Europe in becoming an imperialist power, as it acquired a myriad of goods, which enabled them to become a super-power region during the time of the Industrial Revolution. Thus, as Latin America continued to export resources to Europe, the number of African slaves required to work on sugar plantations increased as well.

Though, regardless of exporting numerous goods, Latin America was dependent upon Spain, and Europe in general for obtaining completed products.

For example, silverware, plates, clothes, and numerous other resources were produced in Europe and transported to the Atlantic. This necessity prolonged throughout the era and caused regions to rely upon Europe for assistance in trading. Additionally, Europe possessed control over Latin America, which resulted in a constant social hierarchy throughout the time period. For example, the Creoles were the white foreigners who controlled and governed Latin America. They were superior to the Mestizos and Mulatto, which consisted mixes of white, black, and Hispanic, origin. Plus, at the bottom were the Africans and slave laborers who remained inferior to other individuals, and were disregarded within society. Moreover, by controlling Latin America in terms of its social hierarchy, the Europeans impeded individuals from rebelling against them, therefore obliquely making them a super-power during the era of imperialism. Thus, although Latin America exported numerous goods, they were dependent on Europe for resources, which enabled Europe to control the

region.

Hence, the increase in sugar plantations within Latin America caused a myriad of African slaves to be imported by Europeans into Latin America in order to supply as a source of labor. Europeans obtained numerous slaves from Africa, which were imported into Latin America in order for those individuals to produce sugar, which would then be traded with with Europeans in order to gain profit. As the number of sugar plantation increased, copious African slaves were imported into Latin America as the time period progressed. Although, Latin America exported numerous goods to as a result of comprehending the benefits of cash crops towards society’s economy, it relied upon Europe to manufacture finished goods, which enabled them to acquire power in Latin America. Therefore, as the Europeans took power, the social hierarchy within Latin America remained constant throughout the era. Thus, from 1500 to 1750, Latin America was involved in interregional trade and encountered both changes and continuities through the collaboration of diverse ethnic groups.