New England, west Africa,
caribbean
A classic example is the colonial molasses trade. Sugar (often
in its liquid form, molasses) from the Caribbean was traded to Europe or New England,
where it was distilled into rum. The profits from the sale of sugar were used
to purchase manufactured goods, which were then shipped to West Africa, where
they were bartered for slaves. The slaves were then brought back to the
Caribbean to be sold to sugar planters. The profits from the sale of the slaves
were then used to buy more sugar, which was shipped to Europe, restarting the
cycle. The trip itself took five to twelve weeks.
