The correct answer is the first one: Most colonial products were exported to Europe, and European products were imported. The patterned of commerce they followed is called the Triangular Trade. It involved voyages from:
- England to Africa,
- Africa to the Americas,
- The Americas to England.
Through this route, England pretended to have total control of the exchange of goods. They wanted to enrich Britain by only allowing trade within the Empire, and trading with other empires was prohibited.
From the colonies, lumber, tobacco, rice, fisheries, and other raw materials were carried to England. The mother country sent back textiles and manufactured products, such as cloths and guns. West Africa provided slaves to exchange for goods. These slaves were taken to the Slave Plantations.