Why did slave trade come to an end?

Eventually, philosophers back in Britain, intellectuals who had time to study ethics as well as abolitionists in the northern US began to turn public opinion against slavery in the 19th century. There were riots by slaves, bringing their plight to the attention of more people, although some used the rebellion as example of their 'savage nature'.

By about 1860 preachers pronounced slaveholding as a sin, economists argued that slaveholding was regressive and inefficient, that paid labour was wiser. It was Abraham Lincoln who brought states to stop slavery.