ABSTRACT

In 2007 several permanent museum galleries were created in England that discuss the subject of the transatlantic slave trade and slavery. This article critiques one recurring image within many of these sites: the diagrams of the slave trade triangle. Drawing on analyses of the slave trade by historians, from Eric Williams to recent contributions, as well as understanding of the behaviour of museum visitors, it appeals to museums for more complex diagrams to be included in future installations at public history sites. Methodologically, close analysis of current museum installations frames exploration of the historical complexities and geographic expanse of enslavement-associated commerce, a term coined within the article. Future diagrams reflecting these complications will more accurately represent historical scholarship and the importance of enslaved labour to global commerce, rather than understating this by focusing solely on the slave trade triangle.

摘要

2007 年，英格兰创建了几个永久性博物馆画廊，讨论跨大西洋奴隶贸易和奴隶制的主题。本文批评了其中许多网站中反复出现的一幅图像：奴隶贸易三角图。借鉴历史学家对奴隶贸易的分析，从埃里克·威廉姆斯到最近的贡献，以及对博物馆参观者行为的理解，它呼吁博物馆在未来公共历史遗址的装置中包含更复杂的图表。在方法论上，对当前博物馆设施的仔细分析构成了对与奴役相关的商业的历史复杂性和地理范围的探索，这是本文中创造的一个术语。