I, like I imagine most people in the United States, was taught early on that slavery was abolished in the United States and related countries, mostly on moralistic and philosophical grounds.

Is this still universally considered true, or is there a lot of speculation into other utilitarian motivations at play, like that slavery may not have been economically or socially feasible to continue? I have heard some vague theories like this before, though I do not remember where or by who.

I personally see slavery as being economically viable, but I am also not an economist nor a historian, and therefore am asking for a historian's perspective.

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Apologies if any of this may sound insensitive in any way - It is a genuine question.