Did Ancient China Have Slaves?

Historical Development#

There is archaeological evidence suggesting the existence of a form of slavery during the Shang Dynasty. Some tombs contained the skeletons of sacrificed individuals, likely captives or slaves, indicating that they were considered property with little to no rights.
Slaves may have been used for labor in agriculture, handicrafts, and for religious sacrifices.

As the Zhou Dynasty developed, the use of slaves became more institutionalized. The feudal system of the Zhou had classes of people who were in a servile position. They were often used for agricultural work on the large estates of the nobility.
With the expansion of the territory and the increase in warfare, more captives were taken as slaves.

During the Qin Dynasty, large - scale public works projects, such as the construction of the Great Wall, likely involved the labor of slaves and corvée laborers.
In the Han Dynasty, slavery was an established part of the economy. Slaves were used in a variety of occupations, including domestic service, agriculture, and mining. The number of slaves is estimated to have been around 1 - 2% of the total population.

In subsequent dynasties, the role and nature of slavery continued to change. As the economy became more commercialized, the use of slaves in some sectors declined, while in others, such as domestic service, it remained relatively stable.

Slaves in ancient China were at the bottom of the social hierarchy. They had few legal rights and were considered the property of their owners. The social status of slaves was often hereditary, with children of slaves also becoming slaves.
In contrast, the upper classes, such as the nobility and the gentry, had the power to own slaves and use them for various purposes.

Slavery played a role in the ancient Chinese economy. Slaves were used in agriculture to increase productivity on large estates. In the mining industry, they provided a source of cheap labor. In domestic settings, they served the daily needs of the wealthy households.
However, compared to some Western economies, the Chinese economy did not rely as heavily on slave labor overall.

Chinese laws regarding slavery were complex. There were regulations on how slaves could be acquired, bought, and sold. For example, it was illegal to abduct free people and turn them into slaves.
Slaves were also subject to different legal punishments compared to free citizens.

The unification of China by Qin Shi Huang led to large - scale construction projects that required a massive labor force. While not all laborers were slaves, the increased demand for labor may have contributed to the expansion of the slave population in some regions.

The Han Dynasty implemented some reforms related to slavery. For example, there were attempts to limit the number of slaves a person could own, which reflected the government's efforts to balance the social and economic impacts of slavery.

Ancient Greece and Rome: In ancient Greece and Rome, chattel slavery was more widespread and central to the economy. Slaves in these civilizations were used on a large scale in agriculture, mining, and manufacturing. In contrast, ancient China's economy was more diversified, and while slavery existed, it was not the primary economic driver.
African Slavery in the Americas: The African slave trade in the Americas was based on a system of racial slavery. In ancient China, slavery was not based on race but more on social status, captives from war, or debt.

Social and Cultural: The existence of slavery in ancient China influenced social values and cultural norms. It created a clear divide between the free and the unfree, which can still be seen in some aspects of Chinese social history.
Economic Development: The use of slave labor in ancient China contributed to the development of certain industries and the construction of large - scale projects. However, as the economy evolved, the role of slavery diminished, and other forms of labor became more prominent.
Legal System: The laws and regulations regarding slavery in ancient China laid the foundation for future legal developments in the country, especially in terms of property rights and the treatment of different social classes.

Readers interested in going deeper into this topic could explore the following areas:
- Archaeological research on slave tombs in ancient China to learn more about the living conditions of slaves.
- The role of female slaves in ancient Chinese society, as this aspect has not been as widely studied.
- Comparative studies between ancient Chinese slavery and the slavery systems of other Asian civilizations, such as Japan and Korea.

Fairbank, John King, and Merle Goldman. China: A New History. Harvard University Press, 1998.
Hulsewé, A. F. P., and M. A. N. Loewe. China in Central Asia: The Early Stage, 125 B.C. – A.D. 23. E. J. Brill, 1979.