Slavery in the United States
Although some Americans were against slavery, many of America's famous statesmen of that time - like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson owned slaves. In the northern states slave trade was soon abolished but it continued in the south.
The southern states needed slaves because their economy depended on them. Farmers planted tobacco, cotton, sugar cane and other crops and they made a lot of money with workers who didn't cost them anything.
Most slaves worked on fields and were called field hands. They were the ones who were cruelly treated and lived the hardest lives. Others worked as cooks and maids. Those who were skilled worked as carpenters or masons.
As cotton plantations grew and spread to the west so did slavery. By 1848 slaves could be found as far west as Texas.