The History of Slavery 2100-ERASMUS-SLAV

The History of Slavery course provides a comprehensive exploration of the concept of slavery, tracing
its evolution from ancient times to the present day. Surveys various aspects including the global history,
politics, economics, and culture of slavery, offering students an overview of the slave trade and its
impact on societies throughout history. It aims to help students grasp the historical significance of
slavery and its enduring implications in the present day.
Key topics covered include slavery in Antiquity and Medieval ages (serfdom), Atlantic slave trade,
establishment of slave trading empires in Africa and consequences of slavery and antislavery
movements. Course also explores the methods employed to control and oppress enslaved populations,
shedding light on the systems of labor exploitation and human trafficking.
Through an examination of historical processes and legacies, students gain insights into contemporary
inequalities and social issues rooted in the history of slavery. Additionally, the course analyzes the
events leading to the abolition of slavery and the subsequent development of alternative labor systems.
By the conclusion of the course, students will have a deeper understanding of the enduring legacies of
slavery in the modern world, equipping them to critically engage with present-day issues related to
labor, exploitation, and human rights.
1. Slavery in antiquity
• Historical overview: slavery in ancient civilizations
• Discussion of slavery in the ancient world
• Slavery in ancient Egypt
• Slavery in ancient Greece
• Slavery in ancient Rome - Republic and Roman Empire
• Different forms of slavery across cultures and regions
2. Slavery in Medieval Ages
• Slavery in the Islamic world: the Arab slave trade and its legacy
• Characteristics of the era of feudalism
• Manoralism system and the serfdom of peasantry
• Peasants revolts in medieval Europe
• Main slave trade routes
3. Slavery in the modern era: 16-18 century
• Slavery in pre-colonial Africa
• Age of geographical discoveries
• Origins and expansion of the transatlantic slave trade
• Establishment of slave societies in the Americas
• Plantation economies and the role of enslaved labor
• The scale of the slave trade 16-18 centuries
• Slavery in Asia
4. The end of the age of slavery
• Emergence of abolitionist sentiment
• Slavery in the US to the Civil War
• Resistance and rebellion among enslaved Africans
• 19th century abolition movement
• The era of colonization
5. Modern slavery in the 20th century
• Gulag - Soviet slave labor system
• German Nazi concentration camps
• Decolonization
6. Modern Forms of Slavery
• Human trafficking
• Sex slavers
• Forced marriages
• Child soldiers
• Child labour
• Global efforts to combat modern forms of exploitation
• Role of governments, international organizations, and civil society in anti-slavery initiatives
7. Legacies of Slavery
• Inequality and discrimination in the post-emancipation era
• Memory and commemoration of slavery in public discourse
• Reconciliation and justice for descendants of enslaved people