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Slavery in [[Poland]] was forbidden in the 15th century; in [[Lithuania]], slavery was formally abolished in 1588; they were replaced by the second enserfment.  

Slavery in [[Poland]] was forbidden in the 15th century; in [[Lithuania]], slavery was formally abolished in 1588; they were replaced by the second enserfment.  

Slavery was a major institution in [[Russia]], and families facing starvation often sold themselves into slavery. Russian agricultural slaves were formally converted into serfs earlier in 1679.  In 1723, when the [[Peter the Great]] converted the remaining household slaves into house serfs. <ref>[http://www.britannica.com/blackhistory/article-24160 Welcome to Encyclopædia Britannica's Guide to Black History]</ref> Serfdom was abolished in 1863.

Slavery was a major institution in [[Russia]], and families facing starvation often sold themselves into slavery. Russian agricultural slaves were formally converted into serfs earlier in 1679.  In 1723, when the [[Peter the Great]] converted the remaining household slaves into house serfs. <ref>[http://www.britannica.com/blackhistory/article-24160 Welcome to Encyclopædia Britannica's Guide to Black History]</ref> Serfdom was abolished in 1863 by Tsar [[Alexander II]]; however, most serfs had to pay the government for giving them land.

==Present-day slavery==

==Present-day slavery==

==Abolition of American Slavery==

==Abolition of American Slavery==

 

The first black slaves were brought to [[Jamestown]] Colony early on.  Originally, slavery was legal in every British American colony.  However, after the [[American Revolution]], the [[Massachusetts Supreme Court]] ruled that, since the new [[Constitution of Massachusetts|constitution]] read, "All men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential, and unalienable rights; among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties", it made slavery illegal.  By 1804, slavery had been abolished in every northern state.<ref>However, in many states, current slaves remained in servitude for the rest of their lives.</ref>

Americans call slavery a '''peculiar institution'''.<ref> [[John C. Calhoun]] and other southerners used "peculiar institution" as a euphemism for slavery.</ref> It flourished in the Southern states before military emancipation during 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]].

 

While Virginia had unsuccessfully tried to abolish slavery several times, [[The South]] subsequently became more militant in defense of slavery.  [[John C. Calhoun]] and other southerners called it the South's "peculiar institution". It flourished in the Southern states until military emancipation during 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>

==British Empire==

==British Empire==