(continuation) This is a popular argument. Having access to millions of laborers you don't have to pay, and only providing them with enough necessities to stay fit as laborers seems like a great way to make some money. And it was. Especially in early America where land was ample and labor was few. Slavery, even if legal today, would not be nearly as economically prosperous as it was 200 years ago because of the higher costs to house and guard these slaves today. But, the problem is that lots of countries had slaves. Some still do. Yet, we alone experienced unprecedented wealth. So, while slavery may take partial credit, let's keep looking.