Geographical Distribution of Slavery

Abstract

Having now determined what is the meaning of the term „slavery”, we are about to inquire, what is its social signification, what place does it occupy in those societies where it formerly existed or still exists? But then we must first know, whether slavery exists among all savage tribes, and, if not, whether it is confined to certain races of men or to certain parts of the world; and further, whether it is found on all levels of lower culture, or on some only, and if the latter, on which. The solution of these problems requires a survey of the occurrence of slavery among wild tribes in the several parts of the globe. This survey will occupy the present chapter.