Why Was Slavery Made Illegal?

The purchase and exploitation of another human being is morally wrong.  People were captured, forced onto ships and brought to a strange country where they were bid on like a heard of cattle.  Humans were bought and sold and were considered no better than animals.  Children were sold away from their parents and husband and wives were separated.  Rape and sexual abuse occurred and was not prosecuted.  Slaves were often displayed and sometimes branded much like a prized horse.  Fortunes were made and lost in the slave trade.  The slave trade was a dark time in the history of the United States.