Slaves

Definition

Slaves are individuals who are forcibly held in servitude, lacking personal freedom and the ability to choose their own paths in life. Throughout history, slavery has often been a foundational aspect of societies, influencing their economies, social structures, and cultural practices. In many civilizations, including those governed by dynasties or empires, slaves were considered property and were exploited for labor, contributing to the wealth and power of their owners.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In the Zhou Dynasty, slavery was common, with individuals often captured in wars or born into servitude, working in agriculture or households.
2. The Mandate of Heaven provided rulers with divine legitimacy, but it did not necessarily extend rights or protections to slaves, who were still seen as property.
3. In the Aztec Empire, slaves could be captured during wars and played roles both in labor-intensive agriculture and in religious sacrifices.
4. Aztec slaves had some legal rights; they could buy their freedom and had the ability to own property, although they were still subject to harsh treatment.
5. Social status within both the Zhou Dynasty and Aztec society was heavily influenced by one's position regarding slavery, as free individuals held more power and privilege compared to enslaved individuals.

Review Questions

• How did the concept of slavery influence social hierarchies within the Zhou Dynasty?
  • In the Zhou Dynasty, the existence of slavery contributed significantly to social hierarchies. Slaves were viewed as property and occupied the lowest tier in the social structure. Their labor supported the wealth of landowners and ruling elites, reinforcing class distinctions where free individuals held power and privilege over those who were enslaved. This dynamic perpetuated inequalities that were central to the functioning of Zhou society.
• What legal rights did slaves have in the Aztec Empire, and how did these rights compare to those in other civilizations like the Zhou Dynasty?
  • In the Aztec Empire, slaves had some legal rights that allowed them limited autonomy compared to those in the Zhou Dynasty. Aztec slaves could purchase their freedom and own property, which was not typically afforded to slaves in other cultures. In contrast, Zhou slaves had very few rights and were often completely subservient without any means of gaining freedom. This difference highlights varying cultural perspectives on slavery and individual rights across different societies.
• Evaluate the role of slavery in shaping economic structures in both the Zhou Dynasty and the Aztec Empire.
  • Slavery played a critical role in shaping the economic structures of both the Zhou Dynasty and the Aztec Empire. In Zhou China, enslaved individuals provided essential labor for agricultural production and household services, allowing landowners to accumulate wealth without direct investment in labor. Similarly, in the Aztec Empire, slaves contributed significantly to agriculture and were integral to religious practices, including sacrificial rites. The economic reliance on slave labor in both civilizations underscored how societal wealth was often built upon the exploitation of enslaved individuals.

Related terms

Serfdom: A form of labor in which peasants are bound to work on a lord's estate in exchange for protection and a place to live, often seen as a step below slavery but still limiting personal freedom.

Chattel slavery: A specific type of slavery where individuals are treated as personal property that can be bought and sold, which was prevalent in the Americas.

Bonded labor: A system where individuals are forced to work to repay a debt, often leading to conditions similar to slavery due to the perpetual cycle of indebtedness.