Triangular Slave Trade during the 18th and 19th Century:

The triangular slave trade, also known as the transatlantic slave trade, was a horrific system of trading enslaved Africans during the 18th and 19th centuries. It involved three main stages: the outward passage, the middle passage, and the return passage. This trade was primarily carried out by European colonial powers, such as Britain, France, Portugal, and Spain.

1. Outward Passage:
The first stage of the triangular slave trade involved European ships sailing from their home countries to the West African coast. These ships carried goods and commodities like textiles, beads, guns, and alcohol. These items were exchanged for captive Africans obtained through warfare, raids, or kidnapping. African merchants and local elites played a significant role in capturing and selling slaves to European traders.

2. Middle Passage:
The middle passage was the gruesome and often deadly journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Enslaved Africans were packed into tightly confined spaces on the slave ships, enduring harsh conditions, disease, and brutal treatment. Many Africans did not survive the voyage due to malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and suicide attempts. The journey lasted several weeks or even months, during which the captives were subjected to inhumane treatment.

3. Return Passage:
After reaching the Americas, the enslaved Africans were sold to plantation owners and other buyers. The goods produced by the enslaved laborers, such as sugar, tobacco, cotton, and coffee, were loaded onto the ships for the return passage to Europe. These goods were highly profitable and contributed to the economic development of European countries. The profits made from the slave trade helped fuel the Industrial Revolution in Europe.

The Abolition of Slavery - The French Revolution:
The French Revolution, which occurred from 1789 to 1799, played a significant role in the abolition of slavery. The French revolutionaries proclaimed the "Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen" in 1789, which stated that all men were born free and equal. This declaration inspired many enslaved Africans and free people of color in the French colonies to demand their freedom and rights.

1. The National Assembly and Slavery:
In 1791, the French National Assembly passed the "Law of 4 February 1794" which abolished slavery in all French colonies. This law was influenced by the ideals of the French Revolution and the demands of the enslaved population. However, Napoleon Bonaparte later reinstated slavery in the French colonies in 1802.

2. Slave Revolts:
The French Revolution also witnessed several slave revolts, most notably the Haitian Revolution. The enslaved population in Saint-Domingue (present-day Haiti) rose up against their oppressors and fought for their freedom. Led by Toussaint Louverture and other revolutionary leaders, the Haitian Revolution resulted in the abolition of slavery and the establishment of the first independent black republic in the Americas in 1804.

In conclusion, the triangular slave trade was a brutal system that involved the transportation of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean. It contributed to the economic prosperity of European colonial powers but caused immense suffering and loss of life for millions of Africans. The French Revolution played a crucial role in challenging the institution of slavery and inspiring enslaved people to fight for their freedom.

Triangular practiced between 16 to 19