Why did people own slaves in the US in the 1800s?

Answer 1

Slaves were vital to the U.S. economy. Slaves produced the export crops that supported the f the colonies and later the United States. Tobacco, rice, indigo and later cotton and cloth were the important exports. Although most Americans did not own slaves many northerners as well as southerners profited from slavery. Among the industries that profited from slavery were the cloth manufacturing industry, shipping, banking and insurance..

There is so much shame to go around on the issue. That old quote always comes to mind for me; All that it takes for evil to prosper, is that good men do nothing.

By the !830's, very few slave ships came to America anymore. There were some poorly enforced laws, and some shame in buying new slaves. Yet millions of slaves were now held, and their children were born into slavery as well, so the numbers continued to increase. It became fashionable to release slaves upon the death of the owners. (Correction: It became illegal in many slave states for freed slaves to remain in the state. Meanwhile, non slavery states such as Illinois enacterd laws to prohbit free blacks from residing in the state) and A cheap way to relieve guilt I guess.

The way the average American ignored the problem is shameful. The way former slaves were treated after 1865 was terrible. And the fact that the Democrat party today does not own the problem, that was 75% their fault, is amazing.

I support reparations for the proven descendents of slaves, and the Native Americans. No rescritions, government land and cash payments. It would not resolve the issue, yet it would be a small justice. And a lot better for the economy than giving money to the banks.

Sorry, I cant really answer your question. Nobody can. It is Americas greatest sin.

Answer 2

Some people supported slavery in the 19th century because they needed people with enough strength to help out with the house work and to do work on their farms.

Answer 3

primarily because the institution had existed for about 5,000 years in Africa and elsewhere and had spread to the new world.

Answer 4

The invention of the cotton-gin which made it practical to manufacture cheap cotton goods like blanketrs and shawls in quantity - assuming there was enough slave-labour.