๐บ๐ธap us history review
AMSCO 2.4 Transatlantic Trade Notes
Verified for the 2025 AP US History examโขLast Updated on June 18, 2024
Topic 2.4
๐Topic 2.4 Transatlantic Trade
๐ AMSCO p.49 - p.53
Main Idea
โญ The triangular trade was a transatlantic trade route that connected Africa, Europe, and New England. It involved the transportation of enslaved people, rum, tobacco, and manufactured goods. Mercantilism was popular during the 17th century, so in order to maximize profits, England implemented the Navigation Acts. This restricted the colonies from producing their own goods, so they had to buy expensive ones from England. However, due to salutary neglect, the Navigation Acts werenโt properly enforced, so colonists found ways against it. James II created the Dominion of New England to enforce stricter control over the colonies, but it fell apart after he was overthrown by the Glorious Revolution.
Key Timeline
Timeline of the transatlantic trade period during the colonial era (1607-1754).
Image Courtesy of Siya
Things to Know
Triangular Trade
- Merchant ships followed a three-part route that reached New England, Africa, and Europe ๐ข
- The Middle Passage was a terrible route for enslaved people that transported them from Africa to the West Indies.
- Since the Royal African Company (RAC) couldnโt meet demands for enslaved people, it lost its monopoly and New England merchants took over.
Mercantilism
- Most European governments promoted their own goods to their colonies while discouraging the importation of goods into their country by using tariffs.
- Colonies existed simply to make the parent country richer. ๐ฐ
- Navigation Acts (1650-1693)
- Navigation Acts were created by England to strictly control colonial trade. Under these acts, colonists could only trade with them.
- The acts helped some colonists with things like shipbuilding, and it didnโt affect the triangular trade.
- They also limited economic development in the colonies because they couldnโt produce their own goods and had to buy expensive ones from England.
- Due to the physical distance, the English Civil War, and a corrupt Parliament, these acts were not properly enforced (salutary neglect).
The Dominion of New England
- The new king, James II, combined New York, New Jersey, and other New England colonies into the Dominion of New England.
- James II assigned Sir Edmund Andros to govern over them and enforce stricter policies to increase royal control.
- The Glorious Revolution was successful in overthrowing James II, so the Dominion separated into individual charters and were able to levy taxes, assemble, and own land again.
Ongoing Trade Tensions****
- Regulation of trade policies remained a problem because of salutary neglect and colonial resistance.
Terms to Remember
| Term | Definition + Significance |
|---|
| Triangular trade | A three-way trade system between America, Europe, and Africa. America would send rum and tobacco; Europe would send manufactured goods; Africa would send enslaved people. | | Middle Passage | The journey enslaved people took from Africa to America. They were packed in unhygienic and dangerous conditions, and many ended up dying. | | Mercantilism | A theory that exporting more goods and importing less goods leads to wealth accumulation. A popular economic theory during the 17th century. | | Navigation Acts | Acts implemented by mercantilist England that stated colonists could only trade with them, and that they werenโt allowed produce their own goods. | | Dominion of New England | The combination of New England colonies, New York, and New Jersey into one charter ruled over by Sir Edmund Andros, who was appointed by King James II. | | Sir Edmund Andros | The governor of the Dominion of New England for three years. | | Glorious Revolution (1688) | An English uprising that overthrew King James II and replace him with William and Mary. It stemmed from to religious and political conflicts. |