Systems of Servitude

Definition

Systems of servitude refer to various forms of coerced labor or bondage that were prevalent in different parts of the world during the 17th century. These systems typically involved individuals being held as slaves, indentured servants, or other forms of unfree labor.

Related terms

Indentured Servitude: Indentured servitude refers to an agreement in which an individual willingly bound themselves to work for a certain number of years in exchange for something like passage to a new land or repayment of debt.

Serfdom: Serfdom was a form of bonded labor that prevailed in feudal societies where peasants were tied to the land they worked on and had limited personal freedoms.

Caste System: The caste system refers to a hierarchical social structure found in some societies, such as India, where individuals are born into specific social groups with predetermined roles and limited mobility.