What was the impact of the abolition of the international slave trade in 1808?

The abolition of the international slave trade in 1808 primarily aimed to slow the growth of slavery in the United States. Although the importation of enslaved people from Africa was prohibited, it did not eliminate the existing institution of slavery. Instead, the domestic slave trade continued to thrive, as enslaved individuals who were already in the country were sold and traded within the United States. This internal market became increasingly significant, especially in the southern states where plantation agriculture relied heavily on slave labor.

Additionally, while the ban on the international slave trade was a crucial step towards addressing the moral and humanitarian concerns surrounding slavery, it did not end the practice of slavery itself. The domestic demand for labor to support agricultural production maintained and even intensified the reliance on enslaved individuals. Consequently, while the international slave trade was curtailed, the institution of slavery persisted and continued to develop in different forms within the U.S.