Slavery

Slavery is the practice of owning of sapient beings as property, a practice which was largely abolished in the 19th century. Slaves have historically been employed for many purposes, including as soldiers (such as the Ottoman Janissaries), but slaves have mostly been used as domestic servents and basic laborers.

The term is used informally to refer to other situations in which people are forced to work very hard under heavy control by higher-ranking figures in conditions that are comparable to slavery (such as serfdom in Tsarist Russia before 1861).

Slavery in science fiction

• In Star Wars, slavery existed in several backwater regions of the Galaxy, such as Tatooine. Slavery was also practiced by the Galactic Empire, most notably in the enslavement of Wookiees as well as other non human species.
• In Stargate the Goa'uld kept vast populations of Humans in slavery or serfdom. The Wraith also kept human beings as slaves, serving as personnal attendants.
• In Star Trek, a few factions practice slavery, most notably the Orion Pirates.

See also

• American Civil War