Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Chattel slavery is a form of slavery where individuals are treated as personal property of the owner that can be bought, sold, and owned forever. Unlike other forms of servitude, chattel slaves' status as property is passed down through generations.
Related terms
Bonded labor: A form of coercion where an individual is forced to work to repay a debt, often in conditions that violate human rights.
Human trafficking: The act of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring, or receiving persons through force, fraud, or deception for the purpose of exploitation.
Social stratification: The division of society into levels based on factors like wealth, power, and status