Before the Civil War in America, it was common for wealthy individuals and upper-class members of society to keep slaves and servants. Although these terms were often used interchangeably, there are key differences between them. Slaves were forced to work against their will and were treated as personal property, while servants typically worked for a fixed period before gaining their freedom.
Key Takeaways
- Slavery involved forced labor and treating individuals as personal property, while servitude was a form of service with the possibility of eventual freedom.
- Slaves had no rights and were never free, while servants worked for a fixed period before potentially gaining their freedom.
- Obedience is the essence of slavery, whereas service is the essence of servitude.
A slave was an individual forced to work against their will, treated as personal property by their owner, and could be bought, sold, and inherited like any other item. Slavery dates back to ancient times and was widespread in America, with African Americans being treated as slaves until the outbreak of the Civil War. Slaves received no financial compensation for their labor, had no rights, and were never free.
Although slavery has been abolished in most parts of the world, it continues in various forms, such as indentured servitude, domestic servants, debt bondage, and child marriage. Millions of people still live as slaves, with many confined to South Asia, where they serve as debt slaves. Human trafficking and child labor are also examples of modern-day slavery.
During colonial times, slaves were brought from colonies to work for their masters without pay in the hope of achieving freedom after 4-7 years. They were treated poorly, worked long hours, and often had limited understanding of the English language. Many slaves were born into slavery.
The term “servant” in this context refers to domestic servants and indentured servants, which were common in early American colonies. Poor individuals from African countries were given free travel to the colonies and had to work for 4-7 years for their masters before gaining freedom. These servants worked hard for their masters during their contracts but eventually became free. This group included the poor, homeless, kidnapped, and orphaned children. They agreed to work for food, clothing, and shelter and could be sold by their masters to another person. Servants often received poor housing and food and were subjected to harsh penalties for transgressions.
The main difference between slaves and servants is that servants lived a life similar to slaves but had the hope of freedom after the end of their contract. Obedience is the essence of slavery, whereas service is the essence of servitude. A servant is free to work for their chosen master, while a slave is forced to work against their will.
