Several wars led to massive enslavement, including the export of captives across the Atlantic, the ransoming of others, and the use of domestic slavery Africa. Kongo's civil wars were responsible for the capture and enslavement of many. Africans were also kidnapped and sold to European merchants for sale in the New World. The families of many captured Africans were willing to pay for the return of their loved ones. Since slaves were in high demand around the world, merchants refused the money or took them, but never returned them