AP World History Practice Exam 2026 – The Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The Middle Passage refers specifically to the harrowing journey undertaken by enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas during the transatlantic slave trade. This passage was a crucial part of the triangular trade, where enslaved people were transported under inhumane conditions on slave ships. They faced overcrowding, disease, and high mortality rates, making this journey one of the most tragic aspects of human history.

While the other choices mention routes or journeys, they do not accurately capture the significance and specific context of the Middle Passage. The trade routes for spices and textiles pertain to different forms of commerce involving goods, while the routes taken by explorers are associated with discovery rather than the forced migration of enslaved individuals. Lastly, the passage for free immigrants does not reflect the realities of the Middle Passage, which was characterized by coercion rather than voluntary migration. Thus, the journey for enslaved Africans is the defining feature of the Middle Passage.