Chattel Slavery

Chattel slavery is a type of slavery defined as the absolute legal ownership of a person or persons, including the legal right to buy and sell them. The slaves do not have the freedom to live life as they choose, but as they are instructed by their owners. In fact, in most countries, chattel slaves are considered as movable property. They are not held responsible for their actions, however, the product of the slaves’ labor is the legal property of their owner as well.

In the United States, the Emancipation Proclamation was written in 1862 to outlaw slavery in the Confederacy, an area over which Union forces exercised no control. The proclamation did not free slaves in the Union-allied slaves states of Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri. After the four year Civil War , the battle against slavery was won, prohibiting slavery in the United States . This was done through the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution , which banned all forms of slavery. Many people in developed countries believe that it is non-existent in all other areas of the world. In actuality, chattel slavery appears to be thriving in other countries. Most of today's slaves are present in Africa, Asia , and Latin America .

In Africa , a person can become the property of another person for life. They are bought and sold for as little as $15. (Aikman, 53). If the slave for sale happens to be female, the price can be increased to several hundred dollars. They are branded as a form of identification to show what property owner owns which slaves by a burn imprinted on their back or arm. They can also be inherited from family to family, passed down from one generation to the next, like an heirloom.
Children are also candidates for chattel slavery. The children whose parents are bought or traded into slavery receive the same treatment as the adults. They are sold into a different family than their parents and work in less than adequate conditions. They stay in damp pits, alone and away from their families. Most of the time, days can go by without a single meal. Some owners believe that if they keep their slaves hungry, it will keep them awake to work longer days.

MOST COMMON TYPES OF WORK

The most common types of slave work are domestic service, agriculture, mineral extraction, army make-up, industry, and commerce. These are just a few jobs listed in the article titled “Archaeology and Slavery” in World Archaeology Magazine. In this century, domestic services are required in a wealthier household and may include up to four female slaves and her children on its staff. The chattels are expected to cook, clean, carry water from an outdoor pump into the house, and grind cereal.
Many chattel slaves were used in Agriculture and cultivation. The strong, young men are forced to work long days in the fields, with little or no breaks for rehydration or food.
In mineral extraction, the majority or the work is done by the men. They provide the salt that is used during extensive trade, not as much in this day and time, but this was especially true in the 19th century. (Alexander, 50)
Many of the men that are bought into chattel slavery are trained to fight in their nation’s army and other military services. This is where a great deal of slave trading amongst wealthy officers takes place. Different military leaders can see the strength of a young slave, and make trades to get the young chattel on his side.
Chattel slaves are trained in artisan workshops for industry and commerce. (Alexander, 49) The men are in metalworking, while the females are in the textile ones. They are sometimes employed as agents and assistants in commerce, even though they go without benefits or breaks. The majority of the time, the slave owners do not pay the chattels for their services.

PUNISHMENTS

If the slave happens to refuse the work, or displease their owner in any way, severe consequences are carried out. One punishment is extensive beating. Some slave owners have beaten their slaves literally to death, usually with their bare hands. Another punishment includes tying the accused slave down in the hot sun without water or shade, causing them to dehydrate and suffer under the hot rays. Probably the cruelest and most tormenting punishment is known as “the insect treatment.” This act involves jamming small insects into the disobedient slave’s ear and closing the ear off with wax or small stones. They make sure the insects will not be able to come out by securing a scarf tight around the head to cover and seal the wax or rocks in place. (Aikman, 53) Most victims go insane from this punishment, and are not likely to disobey their owner again.

Today, abolitionists are trying to find ways to stop chattel slavery from continuing in the world. One classroom in Colorado was shocked to find out that slavery did not come to a halt in 1863. They decided to raise money to buy back a slave and set him free. So far, the students have collected $50,000, which is enough to buy the freedom of 1,000 chattel slaves in parts of Latin America. (McKitrick, 4)

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Chattel Slavery