What would the United States be like today if slavery had never occurred?

Serious question with no racist angle.

One can argue that we would be weaker today because American was built upon the backs of slaves, which in a morbid way made our infrastructure strong, citizens wealthy, and that resulted in power.

One can argue that since slavery diversity hasn't worked as well as envisioned and therefore everyone would be happier today if the slave trade had never occurred.

But that may not be true.

Liberia (founded by former American slaves) and Sierra Leone (founded by former Nova Scotia freed slaves) were noble but ultimately failed experiments to create democracy conducive to freedom and prosperity in West Africa.

As history would prove much later, descendents of slaves who decided to stay in America would eventually have access to the greatest opportunities for eductation, health care, and prosperity of any country in world history.


It's an interesting thought. Who would have benefitted most today if slavery had never occurred?