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'''Slavery''' is involuntary servitude to another person or persons, such that the persons held in bondage are considered to be property.  It reduces a person to the status of [[chattel]] who can be owned by another person. The selling price of a slave varied from less than that of horse to as many as a dozen horses.<ref>[http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/socialstudies/projects/jvc/unit/econ/msstatemsg.html Indentured Servants and Slave Prices] (forum post)</ref>

'''Slavery''' is involuntary servitude to another person or persons, such that the persons held in bondage are considered to be property.  It reduces a person to the status of [[chattel]] who can be owned by another person. The selling price of a slave varied from less than that of horse to as many as a dozen horses.<ref>[http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/socialstudies/projects/jvc/unit/econ/msstatemsg.html Indentured Servants and Slave Prices] (forum post)</ref>

The master controls and commands the slave, either through property-like ownership of the slave or by right to command him.   

The master controls and commands the slave, either through property-like ownership of the slave or by right to command him.   

Slavery still exists today in remote parts of [[Africa]] such as the [[Sudan]] where Arabs own black slaves.

Slavery still exists today in remote parts of Africa such as the [[Sudan]] where Arabs own black slaves.

 

The term "slavery" is often used metaphorically for sex workers who are controlled by pimps.

Slavery is best known to Americans as a '''peculiar institution'''<ref> [[John C. Calhoun]] and other southerners used "peculiar institution" as a euphemism for slavery.</ref> of the Southern states before emancipation in the [[American Civil War]] and [[Reconstruction]]. This was a case of racial slavery--the slaves were black, the owners were white.<ref> A few free blacks owned slaves--usually relatives they had purchased from whites. Indian tribes also had slaves, both Indian and black.</ref> see [[The South]].

Slavery was found in the history of most civilizations.  Slavery flourishes where there is a high demand for labor and not enough workers. When the workers are plentiful, slavery dies out because it is unprofitable. That is it was cheaper to free a slave and hire low cost paid labor than to keep slaves.  Typically, when it had almost died out, it was made illegal by the government, as in Brazil.

Slavery was found in the history of most civilizations.  Slavery flourishes where there is a high demand for labor and not enough workers. When the workers are plentiful, slavery dies out because it is unprofitable. That is it was cheaper to free a slave and hire low cost paid labor than to keep slaves.  Typically, when it had almost died out, it was made illegal by the government, as in Brazil.

 

==Economics==

==Bible approves?==

The two main forms of slavery are house servants (in which slaves are luxury items owned by the rish), and field work, in which slaves are used as a cheap labor force. If free labor is cheaper than expensive slaves, slavery will disappear. If there is a shortage of laborers (and an abundance of work to do), slavery becomes economically possible. It is especially profitable in new lands with few people and rich soils or mines that require imported labor.

Slave owners in the ante-bellum South cited Ephesians 6:5, “slaves, obey your masters” in arguments for the Christian endorsement of slavery. Another Bible verse states that thieves should be sold into slavery.<ref>Exodus 22:3 "He should make a full restitution; and if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.</ref> Under the [[Mosaic Law]], slaves could be kept for six years. <ref>Exodus 21:1-4 "If thou buy a Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve; and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing."</ref> (See [[Slavery in the Bible]])

 

The slavery system diminished a person to the point where they would be regarded as a thing or an object to be owned. Christian [[abolitionists]] disagreed with this valuation, and advanced an interpretation of the Bible which presented human value in terms of God's parental love for all people as His children (see [[human rights]]).

Some Southern white theologians before the Civil War asserted that the slavery of blacks was the result the curse of Ham. However, there is no evidence that the curse had to do with skin color, and the descendants of [[Canaan]], most likely were not black, and it is generally concluded that they did not settle in [[Africa]].<ref>http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=70</ref><ref>http://www.christiananswers.net/q-aig/race-blacks.html</ref><ref>Full Life Study Bible, Zondervan Publishing Company (September 1992)</ref><ref>A Condensed Anti-slavery Bible Argument By George Bourne </ref>

==Ancient history==

==Ancient history==

* [[Booker T. Washington]]

* [[Booker T. Washington]]

* [[Attilla the Hun]]

* [[Attilla the Hun]]

==Abolition of American Slavery==

==Abolition of American Slavery==

The end of slavery in America began with the [[American Revolution]], when slaves were freed in all the northern states between 1776 and 1804.  

The end of slavery in America began with the [[American Revolution]], when slaves were freed in all the northern states between 1776 and 1804.