Changes

'''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 a legal economic system with involuntary servitude, such that the people held in bondage are considered to be property.  Legally the slave has few rights.  

The master controls and commands the slave, either through property-like ownership of the slave or by right to command him.  The last forms of legal slavery wwere outlawed in 1970 in the Arabian countries, but hidden slavery still exists today in remote parts of Africa such as the [[Sudan]] where Arabs own black slaves.

 

The last forms of legal slavery were outlawed in 1970 in the Arabian countries, but hidden 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.

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

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 becomes cheaper to free a slave and hire low cost paid labor than to buy and maintain slaves.  Typically, when it had almost died out, it was made illegal by the government, as in Brazil.

 

The most famous insance of slavery was in the American South until it was forcibly ended during the [[American Civil War]] (1861-65)--the only major war in history involving slavery.

==Economics==

==Economics==

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.

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.