I'm sure the slave import restrictions had something to do with it. There were also the Triangular Trade routes from Africa (rum for slaves) -> West Indies (sla

I'm sure the slave import restrictions had something to do with it. There were also the Triangular Trade routes from Africa (rum for slaves) -> West Indies (slaves for molasses) -> Boston (molasses for rum) -> Africa In doing so, the US benefitted from the slave trade without actually taking part in it.