The best-known triangular trading system is the transatlantic slave trade , that operated from the late 16th to early 19th centuries , carrying slaves , cash crops , and manufactured goods between West Africa , Caribbean or American colonies and the European colonial powers , with the northern colonies of British North America , especially New England , sometimes taking over the role of Europe .
The ships carrying slaves , crops and manufactured goods between West Africa , the Caribbean and American colonies and the colonial powers in Europe .