Slavery in ancient China
In ancient China, some people were born in slavery because their mother was
enslaved. Others were sold into slavery, perhaps to pay a debt. During the Qin
Dynasty, captured people were enslaved.
Slavery in ancient China was not a pleasant experience. The lives of enslaved
people were filled with hardship. Many were abused and many children were
enslaved.
Most people who were enslaved worked in the fields, alongside peasants. They
did the same job, had the same hours, the same clothing and the same food as
free farmers. But, they were not treated with the same respect given to farmers
and were often abused. Some enslaved people built roads, while some worked in
government.
Enslaved people who worked for the emperor, the royal family, and the nobles,
had the worst of it. They could only do what they were told to do. They were
treated in any way that their master and his family felt like treating them. Many
were treated with great cruelty. When their master died, they were killed and
buried with their master in his tomb, so they could continue to serve their master
after his death.
The slave society in China started in very ancient times and continued up until the
Qin Dynasty (ending – 206 BCE). Qin did not do away with slavery, but rather the
reverse. First Emperor Qin was more ruthless (cruel and merciless) than any other
master. Qin was so ruthless in his treatment of slaves, that after the Qin Dynasty
was overthrown, the concept of slavery in the Han Dynasty (which followed the
Qin dynasty) was not nearly as popular or as cruel as it once was in other
dynasties. The Tang Dynasty tried to discourage slavery; slavery was reduced
during this family's rule. But slavery rose in popularity again when this family's
rule was over.
Over the centuries, since the Qin Dynasty, other Chinese emperors have
attempted to control or do away entirely with slavery. The Ming Dynasty, for
example, made slavery illegal. Still, some people in ancient China continued to
have slaves. Even today, although slavery is illegal in China, slavery continues in
remote regions. Forced child labour continues. The government of modern-day
China is working to correct this very serious problem.
Slavery in Ancient China
1. Describe three ways that people in ancient China became enslaved.
[6]
Born into, sold into to pay debt, captured
2. What job did most people who were enslaved do in ancient China?
[2]
Field work
3. Were enslaved people who worked for the emperor and royal family treated well?
Explain your answer.
[3]
No, killed with master, lack of free will, cruelty
4. Explain how the Qin dynasty treated enslaved people.
[2]
ruthlessly
5. Which dynasty tried to reduce slavery?
[1]
Tang
6. Which dynasty made slavery illegal?
[1]
Ming
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