1645-1860: The slave trade organized in mainland North American colonies grew rapidly after 1730 but faced a sharp decline during the American Revolution as …

1645-1860: The slave trade organized in mainland North American colonies grew rapidly after 1730 but faced a sharp decline during the American Revolution as individual states began implementing bans. However, American merchants experienced a significant resurgence of business in the late eighteenth century as they successfully found new slave markets outside of the United States. This resurgence was bolstered between 1804 and 1807 when South Carolina briefly rescinded its prohibition on the arrival of new captives. During the years 1806 and 1807, approximately one-quarter of all captives leaving Africa were transported on vessels flying the U.S. flag.