slavery

Rooted in slavery: prison labor exploitation

Article analysing the roots of prison labour in America.

The United States has once again surpassed its own world record for incarcerating the highest percentage of its population. According to a report released by the Bureau of Prison Statistics, one out of every 32 adults was in prison, in jail, on probation, or on parole at the end of 2005.

The Zanj Slaves Rebellion, AD 869-883

A 13th century slave market in the Yemen

A history of the Zanj slave rebellion - East African slaves in Mesopotamia during the 9th century. These events took place around Basra, in modern day Iraq.

Zapping the Zanj: Towards a History of the Zanj Slaves' Rebellion
Revised on: 16 October 2002. This is an ongoing investigation. Credible sources regarding the Zanj are hard to come by. Melancholic Troglodytes would appreciate any assistance from readers.

China: Slave labour in brick kilns

Chinese brick kiln workers

At least 600 people have been freed by authorities from slave labour working in brick kilns in northern China.

The government acted to move against the use of slave labour in Shanxi and Henan provinces, freeing 600 people, 10% of whom were children. However government action appears, at least in part, to be motivated by workers action. A blog set up by parents in Henan reports having freed 40 children from slave labour using direct action.

The Many Headed Hydra: Sailors, Slaves, and the Atlantic Working Class in the Eighteenth Century

Article on class struggle and compositon in the period leading up to and during the American revolution, showing how the struggles of sailors and slaves drove the movement to national liberation.

Introduction

1891: Miners against prison labour

American miner in 1890

Howard Zinn's account of American miners' struggles against the use of slave prison labour.

There were eruptions against the convict labour system in the South, in which prisoners were leased in slave labour to corporations, used thus to depress the general level of wages and also to break strikes.

-800BC-today: A very brief history of racism

Slavery

A quick look at the origins of racism in modern society from its roots in the justification of slavery.

Any discussion of racism needs to examine the roots of racism in order to understand it and to struggle against it effectively. There are basically three explanations for the existence of racism.

9. Slavery Without Submission, Emancipation Without Freedom

The United States government's support of slavery was based on an overpowering practicality. In 1790, a thousand tons of cotton were being produced every year in the South. By 1860, it was a million tons. In the same period, 500,000 slaves grew to 4 million. A system harried by slave rebellions and conspiracies (Gabriel Prosser, 1800; Denmark Vesey, 1822; Nat Turner, 1831)

2. Drawing the Color Line

A black American writer, J. Saunders Redding, describes the arrival of a ship in North America in the year 1619:
Sails furled, flag drooping at her rounded stern, she rode the tide in from the sea. She was a strange ship, indeed, by all accounts, a frightening ship, a ship of mystery. Whether she was

1929-1939: 25 Concentration Camps in England - ICG

Concentration camps have always existed. Every time that capital feels the need to get rid of some of the labour-force commodity, proletarians are gathered into camps and forced to work. First this is to keep them under control, to prevent them from organising themselves against unemployment and growing poverty.

Slave labour in Britain continues this Christmas

Contrary to popular belief slavery has NOT been abolished in Britain. Behind high walls and locked doors it still flourishes.

Spare a thought during this years Consumer Christmas Hellish-day season for those who won’t be pulling a cracker round the family table.

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