The history of slavery spans many cultures and religions, from ancient times to modern day. Almost every country practiced it including America, Africa, Europe and Asia. The earliest forms of slavery can be tracked back to the ancient Mesopotamian Code of Hammurabi and other ancient civilizations such as the Sumerians and Egyptians. However, there were many differences including total population, the punishments they faced, and overall purpose and origin of slaves in specific locations. Some specific differences include: the economy, abolition movements, treatment of slaves, different types of forced labor, and total number of slaves per country after abolition in the millions.
Slavery in America began when the first African slaves were brought …show more content…
A slave might be enslaved in order to pay off a debt or pay for a crime that he/she had committed. Except, what is saddening is that Africans were slaves for life, as were their children and grandchildren. The treatment of slaves in Africa varied widely. Slaves were taken as prisoners of war, or enslaved in payment for debt or as punishment for crime. This enslavement was usually on a small scale and there was enough supply and demand for slaves while in Africa but there weren't enough to supply any demands outside of Africa. The start, however, was when Arab Muslims and Europeans during the 7th century raided and traded black African slaves in places like the west, central, and east Africa. From the 15th to the 19th century, Europeans purchased millions of slaves in these areas and sent them to places such as Europe and the Caribbean. The overall understanding of African slavery can be difficult to identify, as there were not many artifacts but merely passed down by oral information. The origins of slavery in Africa was most likely due to warring groups taking captives, and to produce wealth for the common people. Looking deeper, women were in lead role of early African American captives while the men usually farmed or herded. One important aspect involving slavery was kinship. Kinship means “blood relation,” and was very important part of a person’s identity. The people that did not acquire a kinship, were often looked at not real people. The act of slavery could in fact strip a person’s kin away, but in the process, make them start a new kin by meeting new people and starting a new family. During the 15th century, the Atlantic slave trade had developed after Europeans were exploring and discovering trading posts near the west coast of Africa. European demand was then growing with needs for things such as sugar, tobacco, and rice increased as well as labor. From the 15th to the 19th
Slavery in America began when the first African slaves were brought …show more content…
A slave might be enslaved in order to pay off a debt or pay for a crime that he/she had committed. Except, what is saddening is that Africans were slaves for life, as were their children and grandchildren. The treatment of slaves in Africa varied widely. Slaves were taken as prisoners of war, or enslaved in payment for debt or as punishment for crime. This enslavement was usually on a small scale and there was enough supply and demand for slaves while in Africa but there weren't enough to supply any demands outside of Africa. The start, however, was when Arab Muslims and Europeans during the 7th century raided and traded black African slaves in places like the west, central, and east Africa. From the 15th to the 19th century, Europeans purchased millions of slaves in these areas and sent them to places such as Europe and the Caribbean. The overall understanding of African slavery can be difficult to identify, as there were not many artifacts but merely passed down by oral information. The origins of slavery in Africa was most likely due to warring groups taking captives, and to produce wealth for the common people. Looking deeper, women were in lead role of early African American captives while the men usually farmed or herded. One important aspect involving slavery was kinship. Kinship means “blood relation,” and was very important part of a person’s identity. The people that did not acquire a kinship, were often looked at not real people. The act of slavery could in fact strip a person’s kin away, but in the process, make them start a new kin by meeting new people and starting a new family. During the 15th century, the Atlantic slave trade had developed after Europeans were exploring and discovering trading posts near the west coast of Africa. European demand was then growing with needs for things such as sugar, tobacco, and rice increased as well as labor. From the 15th to the 19th