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Slavery

Introduction

Free will is the most important weapon of a person. The freedom to speak and do as pleased is what separates us from animals and other creatures. When this freedom is taken away from a person, it leaves that person stranded and bound. Man has always craved power and authority. From the beginning of time, from the time this world came into existence and man divided into societies, power has been an element of desire and focus. This craving for power made man realize that by taking away another person's freedom, that person can be forced into doing one's bidding. With this thought came the concept of slavery and ever since, man has been using his force and authority to enslave other human beings and use their helplessness to his own advantage.

Slavery is the system where people are considered property to be bought and sold. These people are held against their will, are not paid for the work they do and are forced to work. If we look at history, slavery was globally accepted by most societies of the world but then a time came when slaves and humanists started to rise against this cruel and inhuman system and protested against the concept of slavery (Kenneth, 133). Although slavery still exists today, it is in much subtle forms and only in the rural areas of the world.

Types of Slavery

There are three recognized forms of slavery:

Chattel Slavery

Bonded Labour

Forced Labour

In Chattel Slavery, people are treated as personal property. The master is the owner of the slaves and he has the authority to purchase and sell the slaves like commodities. Furthermore, the owner can use the slaves in any way he prefers. Over history, slaves have been misused for acts of extreme labour, sex and crimes. Chattel Slavery is a crime according to the law. When a slave is transported across the border of a country it is known as Human Trafficking.

This form of slavery binds a person into forced service which usually happens as the result of an unpaid debt. In rural areas and poverty stricken countries, people pledge their lives into slavery in exchange for money. This type of slavery can also be passed on from generation to generation. Children of the slaves are also born into slavery and continue to uphold the pledge that their ancestors swore. This is the most common form of modern slavery.

The third form of slavery is forced labour. Here, the slave is forced to work against his or her will under some form of threat or punishment. Feudal lords and other authoritative figures in rural areas force people belonging to the 'lower classes' to work for them without any sort of remuneration or benefit. Opposition is usually met by death or severe punishment.

Slavery before Christ

The concept of slavery has existed since the beginning of man's journey on Earth. Archaeologists have uncovered facts and artefacts that suggest slavery going back to almost 8000BC in parts of Lower Egypt. Egyptians have been ...