[LexBaird]

Rather than buying the slaves, the north should have offered discount pricing on mechanized farming equipment to southern farmers. This would have killed off slavery faster than anything else.

Now that's an innovative solution. And thanks for the link.

Except for the fact that such mechanized farm equipment didn't exist. The first viable mechanical cotton harvester wasn't made until 1943. Also, the cotton gin was mechanical farm equipment that actually made slavery more profitable.

[Second Amendment First]

Except for the fact that such mechanized farm equipment didn't exist. The first viable mechanical cotton harvester wasn't made until 1943. Also, the cotton gin was mechanical farm equipment that actually made slavery more profitable.

The capital (human, as well as dollars) that was spent was lost waging war, that could have accelerated those innovations.