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What is a slave?

60 second histories

This video covers:   An explanation of the term 'slave' being the legal property of another

What is a slave? I use the word every day but recently realised that many people do not know what a slave actually is. They usually think of a slave as just someone who works for you but that’s not true; a slave is a person who is the legal property of another and is bound to absolute obedience. In other words a slave has no freedom and can be made to do anything the slave owner bids. Failure to do so can result in severe punishment and even death. Slavery has existed for thousands of years; the Romans used slaves in the home as well as for fighting in the arena and the ancient Greeks and Egyptians both used slaves. Here in Britain though, many of us have fought against slavery and formed a movement for its abolition. And finally, over two phases, we have succeeded. In eighteen o seven it became illegal to buy or sell slaves in the British Empire, although you could keep the ones you already had, and then in eighteen thirty three slavery in Britain, and its Empire, was completely abolished.
Eras: 
British Empire
Topics: 
British Empire
Slavery
Character: 
William Wilberforce
Key words: 
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