The Beginning of African Slavery: Atlantic Worlds

The Plantation Complex

Large farms in the Americas functioning as extensive slave labor camps, produced commodities like sugar, tobacco, and indigo.

Slave Societies

Social structures where slavery was integral, with historical contexts indicating that slavery has been part of human societies for millennia.

Chattel Slavery

A form of slavery where slaves are legally treated as property ('chattel') and completely under the owner's control.

Justinian’s Code

A Roman legal document affirming the total power of masters over their slaves, typically taken from conquered territories.

Non-Racial Basis of Ancient Slavery

Historically, slavery was not based on race but on various factors including warfare and social status.

Serfdom

A system where serfs are bound to the land under feudal lords, having certain rights and cannot be separated from the land.

Trans-Saharan Trade

The first major slave trade route, where Muslim traders transported Sub-Saharan Africans, often captured in wars.

Labor Shortages in the Americas

The result of high mortality rates among native populations, prompting Europeans to seek labor sources elsewhere.

Just War Theory

A moral framework that rationalized the enslavement of prisoners of war as an acceptable alternative to execution.

Influence of Religious Arguments

Advocacy by figures like Bartolomé de las Casas for humane treatment of natives, leading to laws aimed at improving conditions.

Juan Garrido

A West African man who gained freedom in the Americas and later owned slaves, illustrating complex social mobility.

Estevanico

An enslaved Moroccan who became notable as an explorer, indicating the diverse roles that enslaved individuals could play.

System of Domination Based on Slavery

Established by the late 1500s in the Americas, marking a significant shift in economic and social structures.