Slavery is a social and economic system in which human beings are considered property and are bought, sold, and forced to work without compensation. Throughout history, slavery has taken many forms and existed in various cultures and civilizations. Although the nature and conditions of enslavement have differed, the fundamental aspects of slavery typically involve the denial of personal [[freedom]], the use of force or coercion, and the deprivation of basic [[human rights]]. The most well-known form of slavery is chattel slavery, in which individuals are considered personal property and can be bought, sold, and inherited. Chattel slavery was prominent in ancient societies such as Greece and Rome, as well as in the European colonization of the Americas from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The transatlantic slave trade, in which millions of Africans were forcibly transported to the Americas and sold into slavery, is one of the most devastating and enduring examples of chattel slavery. ## Other forms of slavery 1. **Debt bondage**: This form of slavery occurs when individuals are forced to work to repay a debt, often under exploitative conditions that make it difficult or impossible for them to ever fully repay the debt. 2. **Forced labor**: This involves the use of coercion, threats, or violence to compel individuals to work against their will. Forced labor can be found in various industries and is often associated with human trafficking. 3. **Child slavery**: This refers to the enslavement of children, who may be subjected to various forms of exploitation, including forced labor, domestic servitude, and involvement in armed conflict. 4. **Sexual slavery**: This involves the exploitation of individuals, often women and girls, for the purpose of sexual acts or the commercial sex industry. Efforts to combat and abolish slavery have been ongoing for centuries. The [[abolitionist]] movement of the 18th and 19th centuries played a crucial role in ending chattel slavery in many parts of the world, including the British Empire and the United States. Today, international laws and agreements, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the [[United Nations]] Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, condemn slavery and human trafficking. Despite these efforts, slavery and forced labor continue to exist in various forms around the world. Modern slavery affects millions of people and can be found in industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and domestic work. Addressing this ongoing problem requires a combination of legal measures, social and economic reforms, and international cooperation to protect vulnerable populations and ensure the enforcement of [[human rights]]. See also: [[Civil War]], [[Reconstruction]], [[Jim Crow]], [[Civil Rights Act]], [[civil rights]], [[segregation]], [[Brown v. Board of Education]]