Who Started Slavery

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Slavery is as old as human history itself, with many different societies and cultures having featured its presence in various forms. The exact origins of slavery are not clear because it has existed since ancient times and different systems of slavery have had different conditions, laws and regulations. Figures from antiquity, such as those from early Greek and Chinese civilizations, are often credited with the earliest evidence of slavery.

The exact origins of slavery are difficult to trace because of the lack of written accounts from many of the civilizations which practiced it. However, it is generally thought that slavery began as a form of punishment for criminals or behavior deemed as unacceptable. Over time, more people were forced into slavery as a way to support labor needs, sparking a system of buying and selling slaves. In many parts of the world, the slave trade was abolished and categorized as a crime in the 1800s, but there are still places where slavery persists to this day.

One of the earliest known forms of slavery appeared in Egypt, where the rich and powerful class used it to gain control and economic stability. This eventually spread throughout the Mediterranean region, with the Romans being influential in its spread through the known world. Other militants and conquerors during the time period, such as Genghis Khan and the Mongols, also used slavery as a part of their domination efforts.

Slavery was brought to the Americas by the Europeans in the form of the transatlantic slave trade, beginning in the 15th century. This trade was an extremely lucrative business for those involved and had many consequences, which still affects those living in the Americas today.

Though the exact origins are not clear, the application of slavery has been particularly widespread and damaging throughout its many manifestations. Therefore, it is important to understand its development and to take steps to ensure it never returns to its former levels of prevalence.