European nations traded goods, such as metals and textiles, from their empires to purchase captives in Africa. Those Africans were shipped via the months-long Middle Passage to the Americas to work in agriculture and extract natural resources. Goods produced by the labor of enslaved people were then sent back to Europe.

European nations traded goods, such as metals and textiles, from their empires to purchase captives in Africa. Those Africans were shipped via the months-long Middle Passage to the Americas to work in agriculture and extract natural resources. Goods produced by the labor of enslaved people were then sent back to Europe.