Question

In the first half of the 19th century, how many slaves were sold at auction?

Answer 1

In the first half of the 19th century, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of enslaved individuals were sold at auction in the United States. The exact number can vary significantly depending on the source. According to various historical estimates, about one million enslaved people were sold in the domestic slave trade between 1820 and 1860. Auctions were a common method for the sale of enslaved people, especially in the Deep South. This trade was particularly prevalent as demand for labor increased in the cotton industry. However, precise records are scarce, and figures can vary, so exact totals are difficult to establish.