How were the American slaves obtained?

American slaves were primarily obtained through the transatlantic slave trade, where enslaved Africans were forcibly captured, sold, and transported across the Atlantic Ocean. Many were taken from their homes through raids or wars and then sold to European traders. Once in the Americas, they were sold at auction to plantation owners and other slaveholders, where they were forced into labor in various industries, particularly agriculture. This brutal system was supported by a combination of economic demand and racial justifications for slavery.