History of Slavery
Since to origin of man, individuals have continually been enslaved for the benefit of another. Although culture and custom can often alter a word's definition, even in primitive periods slaves were considered the most undignified social institution, existing merely as property, bound to its owner through involuntary servitude. Since slaves have invariably been legally regarded as objects, they were commonly bought, sold, given as a gift, or warranted as payment for debt. This exchange of slaves ensured and fueled slavery's prosperity and existence. In practice, slavery has subsisted since prehistoric ages. However, it was probably first regulated and distinctly established in ancient periods, when agricultural advances promoted the desire for facilitated manual labor and the conceived necessity for slavery. Multiple ancient civilizations began slavery as an accepted, often vital aspect to their economy and society. Slaves were often obtained as prisoners of war through raids, issued to owners as compensation for debt payment, or were enslaved as penalization for an infraction. The children born to a slave were also commonly bound to an unwritten social contract, and deemed a slave.
Abolition of slavery soon became a renowned topic. Intellectuals such as, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and James Madison regarded slavery as evil, from its onset. In addition, Quakers, the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Presbyterian church had all shared antislavery views. In 1792, Denmark became the first European country to abolish slave trade, subsequently followed by Great Britain, and the United States in 1808. With facilitation from Grate Britain at the Congress of Vienna, nearly all European states passed laws prohibiting slave trafficking. Continuing with the struggle French slaves were completely emancipated in 1848 and many South American republics soon ensued. With the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, slavery was abolished throughout the U.S. in 1865. The actions of many countries world wide, were confirmed and bolstered when the League of Nations provided for the suppression and prohibition of slave trade, and complete abolition of slavery in all forms, in 1926. Slavery is an amazing concept in itself. Its astounding practice is compounded by the fact that it took thousands of years to abolish the unjust custom. It is questioning as to why a form of deprivation of freedom and dignity to an individual and his posterity could have originally succeeded. The first African slaves arrived in North America at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619, brought by English privateers. While the number of slaves imported to North America was originally small, soon Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Virginia officially recognized the practice of enslavement. As the plantation s
Some common words found in the essay are:
History Slavery, Canaan Syria, Indian Chinese, League Nations, Middle East, South America, Ancient Roman, Eventually American, Roman Empire, Connecticut Virginia, slave trade, north america, middle east, abolition slavery, slavery abolished, prisoners war, slaves imported, african slaves,
Approximate Word count = 1096
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
