How did the slave trade continue after it ended?

Answer 1

After the formal abolition of the transatlantic slave trade in the early 19th century, illegal slave trading persisted due to the high demand for labor, particularly in the Americas and the Caribbean. Smugglers and rogue traders exploited loopholes and maintained clandestine networks to transport enslaved individuals. Additionally, existing enslaved populations were often subjected to harsh conditions and exploitation, perpetuating the cycle of forced labor even after the trade itself was officially banned. Efforts to suppress illegal trading were often inadequate, allowing the practice to continue in various forms for decades.