Describe the triangular trade and discuss the economic impact of slavery on the economic life of New England.

The triangular trade was a system of trade between Europe, Africa, and the Americas in the 17th and 18th centuries. European ships would sail to Africa with goods such as textiles, firearms, and alcohol, which they would exchange for enslaved Africans. The ships would then sail to the Americas, where the enslaved Africans would be sold and traded for goods such as sugar, tobacco, and cotton. These goods would then be transported back to Europe to complete the triangle.

The economic impact of slavery on the economic life of New England was significant. New England played a major role in the triangular trade, as its merchants and shipbuilders profited from the trade of enslaved Africans and the goods produced by enslaved labor in the Americas. The profits from the slave trade and the goods produced by enslaved labor contributed to the growth of industries such as shipbuilding, textile manufacturing, and rum distilling in New England.

Slavery also had a profound impact on the economy of New England by providing cheap labor for industries such as agriculture, shipping, and manufacturing. The profits from these industries helped to fuel the economic growth of New England and contributed to the region's prosperity.

However, it is important to note that the economic prosperity of New England was built on the exploitation and suffering of enslaved Africans. The legacy of slavery continues to impact the economic and social fabric of New England and the United States as a whole.