Abolition of Slavery and Serfdom
(or, global abolitionism)
|
Table of Contents
|
"...But just as the world systems of forced labor obtain their maximum historical size – because of imperialism, something strange happened – the systems were dismantled. Slavery, which had existed for at least five-thousand years and had seemed part of the natural order of human affairs, in many societies came to be seen as immoral. Simultaneously, its economic logic began to weaken. Its political support waned, and its opponents organized – all these developments show the worldwide web at work...." (McNeill, The Human Web)
Key Terms
- Serfdom
- Abolitionism
- Paternalism
Guided Viewing Questions
- What were some of the main arguments against slavery?
- What were some of the main arguments against serfdom?
- What sort of injustices continued even after the end of slavery?
- How did the anti-slavery movement contribute to reform movements after slavery was abolished?