The Origins and Nature of New World Slavery

Defining Slavery

A

slave is a person totally subject to her or his owners’ will. Slaves could be bought and sold, traded, leased, or mortgaged like a form of livestock.

How does slavery differ from other forms of exploitation such as serfdom, forced labor, or the subordination of women in patriarchal societies? The traditional definition of slavery was legal. Slaves were peoples' property and could be bought and bought, sold, traded, leased, or mortgaged like a form of livestock. Because they are under the personal dominion of an owner, slaves were always vulnerable to sexual exploitation and cruel punishment. In all cultures, slaves were symbolically dishonored; for example, they were branded, tatooed, or required to wear distinctive collars, clothing, or hairstyles.

Also, regardless of place and time period or the ethnicity of the slaves, societies have imposed certain common stereotypes on slaves--that they were licentious, childlike, lazy, irresponsible, dim-witted, and incapable of freedom.