The fact that it was illegal to import new slaves wouldn’t have stopped people from bringing in more slaves unless slavery was abolished in the southern states. The southern states didn’t want to abolish slavery. They wanted to expand it into the new territories.
If, as paul suggested, they just bought the slaves freedom and they hadn’t abolished slavery, there would be nothing to stop people from smuggling in more slaves just like they smuggle Mexicans in today.
It’s illegal for Mexicans to cross the border and come here. It’s illegal for people to smuggle Mexicans in. We have laws. But there are millions of them here. And until our gov gets serious about our laws we’re going to see more illegals smuggled in too. So do you really think there wouldn’t have been more slaves smuggled in when the south wouldn’t abolish slavery? When they wanted to expand it?
I saw a TV show, I don’t remember, 48hrs or something like that. It was about five or six years ago, maybe more I can’t remember. But I was shocked to find out that slavery was still being practiced in Africa.
Anyway they took some money and bought the freedom for a few of the slaves. All young girls if I remember right. Can’t remember what African state. But buying some of the slaves didn’t stop slavery there. And that was one of the sad points of the show. That slavery existed in today’s world. Or should I say in the world of five or six years ago, maybe more when I saw the show.
“The fact that it was illegal to import new slaves wouldn’t have stopped people from bringing in more slaves unless slavery was abolished in the southern states.”
And just how many do you think they would’ve been able to get away with?