The slave trade that went from England to Africa, to America, and then back to England, is otherwise known as the triangular slave trade. England shipped small mirrors, beads, and other little trinkets and knick-knacks to Africa as payment for slaves. Africa then exported those people to America. America then shipped molasses, sugarcane, and other fruits and vegetables to England. The process continually repeated itself until the population of Africa hit an all-time low and some highly intelligent person realized "Oh, wait. These Africans are people, too."