History of Slavery: From Ancient Times to the Ottoman Empire

This section delves into the historical evolution of slavery from around 10,000 BC to the rise of the Ottoman Empire, exploring various civilizations and their practices related to slavery.

Evolution of Slavery

• Slavery emerges around 10,000 BC as societies transition from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled agricultural communities. This shift leads to social inequalities and the formation of elites.

• Mesopotamia provides early evidence of slavery with the advent of writing, showcasing slaves acquired through war or debt servitude. Hammurabi's code in 1750 B.C. outlines laws regarding slave treatment.

• Ancient Egypt and Old Testament texts also reference slavery practices, though archaeological evidence for Hebrew enslavement in Egypt is lacking.

Greek and Roman Influence

• Greek cities like Chios specialize in wine production, relying on non-Greek slaves obtained through trade routes and conquests. Athens sees a significant enslaved population by 400 BC. Rome follows suit with slaves sourced from military campaigns and border raids.

• Slave values fluctuate based on gender and age, with ownership symbolizing wealth and success. Slaves fulfill various roles such as laborers, servants, or even educated positions like accountants.

Islamic Conquests and Beyond

• Muslim conquests in the 7th century lead to slave utilization for Arab armies' growth post-conquests. The Trans-Saharan slave trade flourishes with captives traded across vast distances for labor or servitude purposes.

• The Abbasid Caliphate witnesses internal strife amidst slave revolts while creating loyal armies like the Mamluks from Central Asian converts for protection but faces decline due to external pressures like Mongol invasions.

Expansion of Slave Trade Routes: Ottomans, Italian Republics, Portugal

This segment explores how various empires expanded slave trade routes over time, including Janissaries under the Ottoman Empire, competition between Italian republics in Mediterranean trade routes, and Portugal's exploration along African coasts.

Ottoman Influence

• The Ottoman Empire employs Janissaries—European Christian slaves converted to Islam—for military service under Sultan rule as a strategic move bolstering power through trained forces known as Janissaries.

Italian Republic Competition

• Genoa and Venice vie for dominance in Mediterranean trade by establishing outposts in Crimea where they acquire Slavic and Caucasian captives for profitable trading ventures enhancing their economic prowess during this period.

Discovery of New Territories and the Impact on Trade

This section discusses the exploration by Portuguese navigators, the establishment of diplomatic and commercial relations with the Kingdom of Kongo, and the impact on trade involving goods, slaves, and resources.

Portuguese Exploration and Trade Relations

• Portuguese navigators discover an uninhabited island named Sao Tomé after encountering the Akan people who own gold mines.

• Portugal establishes diplomatic and commercial relations with the Kingdom of Kongo, exchanging European goods for slaves used in trade.

• Slaves revolt in Sao Tomé in 1595 as Portugal focuses more on its American lands where sugar cane cultivation thrives.

Expansion of Slave Trade to Three Continents

This section delves into how Western European countries expanded the slave trade globally across three continents through companies trading goods for slaves under appalling conditions.

Globalized Slave Trade Expansion

• Netherlands, England, and France adopt a model similar to Portugal's, establishing a globalized slave trade across Europe, Africa, and America.

• Ships transport hundreds of slaves to Brazil and the Caribbean for labor-intensive crops like sugar cane, coffee, cotton, and tobacco.

Impact of Slave Trade on Economies and Societies

The impact of slave trade is explored from economic prosperity in Europe to conflicts in Africa due to high demand for slaves leading to wars.

Economic Impact and Social Consequences

• European states enact laws to control the slave market while creating job opportunities through sugar refining in Europe.

• Demand for slaves leads to wars in Africa as entire villages are captured for slavery purposes impacting African societies.

Abolitionist Movements and Revolts

The emergence of abolitionist movements amidst powerful slave lobbies is discussed alongside revolts leading to significant historical events such as Haiti's independence.

Abolitionist Movements and Historical Events

• Abolitionist movements gain traction post-trial following a tragic incident involving a British ship carrying slaves leading to public outcry.

The History of Slavery: From Abolition to Modern Day

This section delves into the historical timeline of slavery, from efforts to abolish it in the 19th century to its modern-day manifestations.

The Abolition Efforts

• The United Kingdom influences global abolition efforts post-Napoleon era.

• Brazil resists abolishing slavery, continuing massive slave importation for coffee production.

• UK abolishes slavery in 1833, shifting focus to industrial revolution and cotton demand.

Post-Abolition Challenges

• Liberia gains independence in 1847 but faces governance issues favoring newcomers over natives.

• Despite abolition, freedmen face complexities and exploitation in former slave territories post-Civil War.

Global Impact of Slavery: 19th Century to World Wars

This section explores the global impact of slavery during the 19th century and its evolution through significant historical events like colonization and world wars.

Colonization and Exploitation

• Brazil last American country to abolish slavery in 1888; European powers divide Africa at Berlin Conference (1885).

• Leopold II's brutal rule in Congo involves forced labor for rubber production; ends under international pressure in 1908.

Forced Labor Beyond Borders

• China abolishes slavery under Western pressure in 1910; USSR establishes Gulag system for forced labor camps in 1930.

• Nazis and Japan exploit forced labor during WWII; Gulf States abolish slavery post-WWII but control migrant workers' passports.

Modern-Day Slavery: Challenges and Realities

This section sheds light on contemporary forms of slavery, including forced labor, forced marriage, and commercial sexual exploitation.

Contemporary Forms of Slavery

• Mauritania is the last Sahel country to abolish slavery in 1981; ethnic groups still enslaved in remote areas.

• Pakistan abolishes slavery in 1992; North Korea exploits prisoners for forced labor camps domestically and abroad.

Current Global Scenario

• North Korea tests intercontinental ballistic missile threatening US (2017); China acknowledges re-education camps with forced labor allegations (2018).

Current State of Global Slavery

This section provides insights into the prevalence of modern-day slavery worldwide as per recent estimates by the International Labour Organization.

Statistics on Modern-Day Slavery

• International Labour Organization estimates around 50 million slaves globally as of 2021, with various forms such as forced labor, forced marriage, and commercial sexual exploitation prevalent.