History of slavery

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== History of Slavery ==

The history of slavery spans many cultures, nationalities, and religions from ancient times to the present day. Slavery was a legal institution in which humans were legally considered the property of another person. Slaves were deprived of most of the rights ordinarily held by free persons.

Ancient Slavery

Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, and Ancient Rome are among the earliest civilizations known to have practiced slavery. In these societies, slaves were often prisoners of war, debtors, or born into slavery. They were used for various purposes, including labor, domestic service, and entertainment.

Egypt

In Ancient Egypt, slaves were used for construction projects, agriculture, and household work. They were often prisoners of war or people who had sold themselves into slavery due to debt.

Greece

In Ancient Greece, slavery was an integral part of society. Slaves were used in households, mines, and as skilled artisans. The city-state of Sparta had a unique system of serfdom known as helots.

Rome

Ancient Rome had a complex system of slavery. Slaves were used in households, agriculture, mines, and public works. The Roman Empire expanded slavery through conquests, and slaves could sometimes earn or buy their freedom.

Medieval Slavery

During the Middle Ages, slavery continued in various forms across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The Vikings raided and captured slaves, while the Islamic world engaged in the Arab slave trade.

Europe

In medieval Europe, slavery gradually declined and was replaced by serfdom, a system where peasants were tied to the land and subject to the will of the landowner.

Islamic World

The Arab slave trade involved the capture and sale of slaves from Africa, Europe, and Asia. Slaves were used for labor, military service, and as concubines.

Transatlantic Slave Trade

The transatlantic slave trade began in the 15th century and lasted until the 19th century. European powers, including Portugal, Spain, France, Britain, and the Netherlands, transported millions of Africans to the Americas.

Africa

In Africa, various kingdoms and societies participated in the capture and sale of slaves. The Kingdom of Dahomey and the Ashanti Empire were notable for their involvement in the slave trade.

Americas

In the Americas, slaves were used primarily in agriculture, particularly in the production of sugar, tobacco, and cotton. The United States, Brazil, and the Caribbean islands were major destinations for African slaves.

Abolition

The abolition of slavery began in the late 18th century and continued into the 19th century. The British Empire abolished the slave trade in 1807 and slavery itself in 1833. The United States abolished slavery with the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865.

Key Figures

Prominent abolitionists included William Wilberforce, Frederick Douglass, and Harriet Tubman. Their efforts, along with those of many others, were instrumental in ending the institution of slavery.

Modern Slavery

Despite its abolition, modern forms of slavery persist, including human trafficking, forced labor, and debt bondage. Organizations worldwide continue to fight against these practices.

Related Pages

• Ancient Egypt
• Ancient Greece
• Ancient Rome
• Middle Ages
• Arab slave trade
• Transatlantic slave trade
• Abolitionism
• Human trafficking