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settlers
English arrived in the Caribbean with settlers in the 1620's. A new form of English called Creole is thought to have started as a simplified English spoken between sailors and slaves on the ships that brought the Africans to the Caribbean. We do know that the slaves used many English words, which they mixed with their native language. -
caribbean
Many words in Creole were 'borrowed' from the indigenous population and are now used in the English language. Tobacco and hammock are two such examples. -
slave trade
The slave trade began in the 17th century and one part of the slave trade was called The Triangle Trade. Ships would load up with guns and manufactured goods in Britain, then sail for four months to West Africa. In West Africa the manufactured goods were exchanged for African slaves. Then came the journey across the Atlantic, called the middle passage. Landing in the Caribbean the slaves were sold at auctions. The buyers were owners of large plantations in the Caribbean and in North america.