1 December 27, 2023
Articles
1. Michal Šmigeľ
On the Issue of International Aspects of the Prohibition of the Slave Trade and Slavery in the 19th century
Slavery: Theory and Practice. 2023. 8(1): 3-23.
Number of views: 20 Download in PDF
2. Sergei N. NikitinSlavery: Theory and Practice. 2023. 8(1): 3-23.
Abstract:
The study focuses on the international aspects of the struggle against human enslavement, i.e. on the prohibition of the slave trade and the abolition of slavery in the transatlantic space in the context of the tangled events of the 19th century. The main attention is paid to the influence of abolitionist and missionary communities on public opinion. Other important issues analysed in the study are an international cooperation against the slave trade, economic changes in the transatlantic space, and the international politics of the period. The material basis used for the analysis of chosen topics consists of historical documents, collections of documents, as well as scholarly studies and monographs. General scientific methods, as well as specific research methods inherent to the historical discipline, were used in the research tasks. The struggle against slavery in the transatlantic space was analysed by author in the context of causal (cause-and-effect) relations between the world (naval) powers of the time – Great Britain, the United States, France, the Russian Empire. The partial events and conflicts were also analysed, as well as their influence on other countries and regions of the world. Finally, the author highlighted the main stages of the development of international cooperation aimed at combating the slave trade and slavery in the 19th century. The author concludes that although the driving force behind the struggle against slavery were humane motives, their realization on an international scale took place under the influence of economic factors and the needs of the “new imperialism” in the second half of the 19th century.
The study focuses on the international aspects of the struggle against human enslavement, i.e. on the prohibition of the slave trade and the abolition of slavery in the transatlantic space in the context of the tangled events of the 19th century. The main attention is paid to the influence of abolitionist and missionary communities on public opinion. Other important issues analysed in the study are an international cooperation against the slave trade, economic changes in the transatlantic space, and the international politics of the period. The material basis used for the analysis of chosen topics consists of historical documents, collections of documents, as well as scholarly studies and monographs. General scientific methods, as well as specific research methods inherent to the historical discipline, were used in the research tasks. The struggle against slavery in the transatlantic space was analysed by author in the context of causal (cause-and-effect) relations between the world (naval) powers of the time – Great Britain, the United States, France, the Russian Empire. The partial events and conflicts were also analysed, as well as their influence on other countries and regions of the world. Finally, the author highlighted the main stages of the development of international cooperation aimed at combating the slave trade and slavery in the 19th century. The author concludes that although the driving force behind the struggle against slavery were humane motives, their realization on an international scale took place under the influence of economic factors and the needs of the “new imperialism” in the second half of the 19th century.
Number of views: 20 Download in PDF
To the Issue of the Evolution of Questionnaires of Prisoners and Slaves from Circassia who Fled to Russia in 1810–1857 (using the example of “Circassian Slave Narratives”)
Slavery: Theory and Practice. 2023. 8(1): 24-35.
Number of views: 18 Download in PDF
3. Artyom Yu. PeretyatkoSlavery: Theory and Practice. 2023. 8(1): 24-35.
Abstract:
The paper attempts to consider the evolution of the questions included in the questionnaires for prisoners who escaped from Circassia to Russia during the period 1810–1857. The source base of the research was the collection of documents “Circassian Slave Narratives”. In conclusion, the author notes that in 1810 the following information was included in the survey materials: surname, first name; year of birth; ability to read and write; place of birth and names of parents; brief circumstances of captivity; place of arrival on the Russian side. In 1812–1819, information about Circassian slave owners and details of escapes began to be included in the questionnaires. Since 1821, when local residents began to run out of Circassia, data on the presence of infectious diseases on the Circassian side, as well as primary information about farming and harvests, began to be included in the information. After the Russian-Turkish War of 1828–1829, Circassia moved away from Turkey to Russia. Despite the fact that the local Circassian tribes did not recognize this transition, the Russian administration, most likely officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, began to include in the questionnaires numerous questions about internal life in Circassia, as well as information about the religion of the fugitives from Circassia and the presence of loyal and disloyal people in Circassia. Later, the latter will be referred to in the questionnaires as peaceful and non-peaceful highlanders. Since 1840, forms began to appear for those who escaped from Circassian captivity. At first, these forms (in the form of tables) were developed and applied at quarantine outposts (logbook of 1840 year), and in 1855 a new document appeared – the logbook 1855, which reflected almost all issues, including service in Russia before captivity and crimes committed in captivity. Thus, in the period 1810–1857, the survey materials for people who escaped from Circassian captivity underwent a significant evolution from simplified information about a person who escaped from captivity to collecting detailed information not only about the fugitive himself, but also about the situation inside Circassia.
The paper attempts to consider the evolution of the questions included in the questionnaires for prisoners who escaped from Circassia to Russia during the period 1810–1857. The source base of the research was the collection of documents “Circassian Slave Narratives”. In conclusion, the author notes that in 1810 the following information was included in the survey materials: surname, first name; year of birth; ability to read and write; place of birth and names of parents; brief circumstances of captivity; place of arrival on the Russian side. In 1812–1819, information about Circassian slave owners and details of escapes began to be included in the questionnaires. Since 1821, when local residents began to run out of Circassia, data on the presence of infectious diseases on the Circassian side, as well as primary information about farming and harvests, began to be included in the information. After the Russian-Turkish War of 1828–1829, Circassia moved away from Turkey to Russia. Despite the fact that the local Circassian tribes did not recognize this transition, the Russian administration, most likely officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, began to include in the questionnaires numerous questions about internal life in Circassia, as well as information about the religion of the fugitives from Circassia and the presence of loyal and disloyal people in Circassia. Later, the latter will be referred to in the questionnaires as peaceful and non-peaceful highlanders. Since 1840, forms began to appear for those who escaped from Circassian captivity. At first, these forms (in the form of tables) were developed and applied at quarantine outposts (logbook of 1840 year), and in 1855 a new document appeared – the logbook 1855, which reflected almost all issues, including service in Russia before captivity and crimes committed in captivity. Thus, in the period 1810–1857, the survey materials for people who escaped from Circassian captivity underwent a significant evolution from simplified information about a person who escaped from captivity to collecting detailed information not only about the fugitive himself, but also about the situation inside Circassia.
Number of views: 18 Download in PDF
A Documentary Narration about the Steppe Slavery or a Colonial Narrative: Essay “Ivan Vasil'evich Podurov” by S.N. Sevast'yanov
Slavery: Theory and Practice. 2023. 8(1): 36-52.
Number of views: 17 Download in PDF
4. Feruza J. TadjievaSlavery: Theory and Practice. 2023. 8(1): 36-52.
Abstract:
The article is dedicated to the essay by S.N. Sevast'yanov “Ivan Vasil'evich Podurov”, describing the captivity of the Cossack officer in Middle Asia. This essay, reprinted in 1999, is assessed differently by different researchers: from “purely documentary narration” to a narrative with glaring mistakes that demonizes the “Kirgiz” (as Kazakhs were called in the Russian Empire’s tradition). Nevertheless, even though a number of authors turned to it in the 20th century (N. Zhetpisbai, T.M. Zhaplova and A.Zh. Saibulova, E.K. Sozina), none of them conducted a systematic analysis of this text. This article undertakes an attempt at such analysis, which is important for understanding how reliable in general are the descriptions of slavery in Middle Asia by the Russian pre-revolutionary amateur historians, especially by members of the Orenburg Scientific Archival Committee, of which S.N. Sevast'yanov was also a member and commanded authority. The article shows that, in his text, S.N. Sevast'yanov definitely relies on three categories of sources, none of which could be considered reliable: on the folk tales of the Orenburg Cossacks; on the stories of I.V. Chernov, who was born two years after the described events, but presumably heard about them from I.V. Podurov himself; on the manuscript of G.F. Gens, a contemporary of the events, Russian official and an amateur orientalist, who was extremely critical towards the “Kirgiz”. It is unknown whether S.N. Sevast'yanov was working with the originals of the documents about the capture of I.V. Podurov or provided them based on the manuscript of G.F. Gens. But in any case, we managed to find direct forgery in a document cited in the essay, form which information was excluded that negatively characterized Russian authorities. As a result, some data provided in the essay is based on unreliable sources, and the reliable sources are misrepresented either by the author of the essay or by those on whose descriptions of the events he was relying. Furthermore, by comparing the narrative of S.N. Sevast'yanov with archival documents it becomes evident that: 1) the image of I.V. Podurov is extremely heroized, for example, in the primary sources his heroic resistance against captors and his heavy wound are not mentioned; 2) the “Kirgiz”, on the contrary, are demonized, information presenting them from an ambiguous side was excluded (for example, the fact that they were capturing Russian officers not for ransom, but to set free the father of one of the captors); 3) nothing confirms the story reported by I.V. Chernov about the daughter of the “Kirgiz” khan falling in love with I.V. Podurov, and the image of this Muslim maiden is deprived both of any particular features (even name) and of any subjectivity. All this allows us to confidently say that the essay “Ivan Vasil'evich Podurov” does not document the events of 1820s, but translates the image of these events that formed among the Orenburg Cossacks by the end of the 19th century, which makes it a valuable source on the historical memory of the Orenburg Cossackdom.
The article is dedicated to the essay by S.N. Sevast'yanov “Ivan Vasil'evich Podurov”, describing the captivity of the Cossack officer in Middle Asia. This essay, reprinted in 1999, is assessed differently by different researchers: from “purely documentary narration” to a narrative with glaring mistakes that demonizes the “Kirgiz” (as Kazakhs were called in the Russian Empire’s tradition). Nevertheless, even though a number of authors turned to it in the 20th century (N. Zhetpisbai, T.M. Zhaplova and A.Zh. Saibulova, E.K. Sozina), none of them conducted a systematic analysis of this text. This article undertakes an attempt at such analysis, which is important for understanding how reliable in general are the descriptions of slavery in Middle Asia by the Russian pre-revolutionary amateur historians, especially by members of the Orenburg Scientific Archival Committee, of which S.N. Sevast'yanov was also a member and commanded authority. The article shows that, in his text, S.N. Sevast'yanov definitely relies on three categories of sources, none of which could be considered reliable: on the folk tales of the Orenburg Cossacks; on the stories of I.V. Chernov, who was born two years after the described events, but presumably heard about them from I.V. Podurov himself; on the manuscript of G.F. Gens, a contemporary of the events, Russian official and an amateur orientalist, who was extremely critical towards the “Kirgiz”. It is unknown whether S.N. Sevast'yanov was working with the originals of the documents about the capture of I.V. Podurov or provided them based on the manuscript of G.F. Gens. But in any case, we managed to find direct forgery in a document cited in the essay, form which information was excluded that negatively characterized Russian authorities. As a result, some data provided in the essay is based on unreliable sources, and the reliable sources are misrepresented either by the author of the essay or by those on whose descriptions of the events he was relying. Furthermore, by comparing the narrative of S.N. Sevast'yanov with archival documents it becomes evident that: 1) the image of I.V. Podurov is extremely heroized, for example, in the primary sources his heroic resistance against captors and his heavy wound are not mentioned; 2) the “Kirgiz”, on the contrary, are demonized, information presenting them from an ambiguous side was excluded (for example, the fact that they were capturing Russian officers not for ransom, but to set free the father of one of the captors); 3) nothing confirms the story reported by I.V. Chernov about the daughter of the “Kirgiz” khan falling in love with I.V. Podurov, and the image of this Muslim maiden is deprived both of any particular features (even name) and of any subjectivity. All this allows us to confidently say that the essay “Ivan Vasil'evich Podurov” does not document the events of 1820s, but translates the image of these events that formed among the Orenburg Cossacks by the end of the 19th century, which makes it a valuable source on the historical memory of the Orenburg Cossackdom.
Number of views: 17 Download in PDF
Slavery in the Khiva Khanate: the Use of Slave Power. Abolition of Slavery and Its Socio-Economic Consequences
Slavery: Theory and Practice. 2023. 8(1): 53-62.
Number of views: 21 Download in PDF
5. Andrii E. LebidSlavery: Theory and Practice. 2023. 8(1): 53-62.
Abstract:
This article depicts the system of slavery and the role of the slaves in social and economic life of the Khiva Khanate. Slavery continued in Khiva until the early twentieth century. In the system of the Khiva Khanate, slaves’ social status depended on their labor activity and potential rather than their national origin. The article explores documentary evidence of attitudes towards slavery and examines how slavery is treated in Islam. It shows that slavery was developed and perpetuated in the context of the prejudice of certain rulers, their misunderstanding of the essence of Islam, and their desire to amass wealth by any means. It discusses the consequences of the abolition of slavery by Russia in 1873, examining issues that are not covered in other sources about the Khiva Khanate. In particular, there is a focus on the negative social aspects slavery’s sudden withdrawal alongside the positive outcomes. The abolition of slavery initially affected the owners and masters of slaves, but negative effects on merchants and artisans soon began to emerge as prices for everything rose. The sudden termination of slavery had a negative impact on the annual income of the owners who used the slave labor to farm. Nevertheless, the existence of slavery is considered one of the main reasons the khanate remained in the swamp of backwardness. After its abolition, the khanate was able to move on from slavery-feudal relations and enter the sphere of advanced market relations.
This article depicts the system of slavery and the role of the slaves in social and economic life of the Khiva Khanate. Slavery continued in Khiva until the early twentieth century. In the system of the Khiva Khanate, slaves’ social status depended on their labor activity and potential rather than their national origin. The article explores documentary evidence of attitudes towards slavery and examines how slavery is treated in Islam. It shows that slavery was developed and perpetuated in the context of the prejudice of certain rulers, their misunderstanding of the essence of Islam, and their desire to amass wealth by any means. It discusses the consequences of the abolition of slavery by Russia in 1873, examining issues that are not covered in other sources about the Khiva Khanate. In particular, there is a focus on the negative social aspects slavery’s sudden withdrawal alongside the positive outcomes. The abolition of slavery initially affected the owners and masters of slaves, but negative effects on merchants and artisans soon began to emerge as prices for everything rose. The sudden termination of slavery had a negative impact on the annual income of the owners who used the slave labor to farm. Nevertheless, the existence of slavery is considered one of the main reasons the khanate remained in the swamp of backwardness. After its abolition, the khanate was able to move on from slavery-feudal relations and enter the sphere of advanced market relations.
Number of views: 21 Download in PDF
Conceptualization and Juridicalization of Contemporary Forms of Slavery and Practices Similar to it in the System of International Human Rights Guarantees
Slavery: Theory and Practice. 2023. 8(1): 63-74.
Number of views: 22 Download in PDF
6. Vladyslava M. ZavhorodniaSlavery: Theory and Practice. 2023. 8(1): 63-74.
Abstract:
The article attempts to conceptualize the concept of «slavery» and its recurrences in the context of two stages of human rights legalization: national and international. The author notes a fairly broad semantic field of this concept, which includes practices similar to slavery: forced labour, forms of extreme labour exploitation, servitude, forced labour, compulsory labour, etc. The author analyses the formation of the semantic meaning of the concept of slavery in international human rights documents. It is argued that slavery has never been fully eradicated, although it has been condemned by the international community. The author outlines the main modern forms of slavery: bonded labour, debt slavery, child labour, human trafficking, forced marriage, and others. All these forms of slavery still exist in the modern world. The most vulnerable categories of the population suffer the most from it. It is noted that the international community has set an ambitious goal to eradicate child slavery by 2025, and by 2030 – everywhere on a global scale. This ambitious goal correlates with the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. However, the COVID-19 pandemic, armed conflicts, hybrid confrontations, climate change and other global challenges impede the final elimination of all forms of slavery. All of this defines new opportunities and challenges for the international community in the fight against all manifestations of slavery and the prospects for overcoming it.
The article attempts to conceptualize the concept of «slavery» and its recurrences in the context of two stages of human rights legalization: national and international. The author notes a fairly broad semantic field of this concept, which includes practices similar to slavery: forced labour, forms of extreme labour exploitation, servitude, forced labour, compulsory labour, etc. The author analyses the formation of the semantic meaning of the concept of slavery in international human rights documents. It is argued that slavery has never been fully eradicated, although it has been condemned by the international community. The author outlines the main modern forms of slavery: bonded labour, debt slavery, child labour, human trafficking, forced marriage, and others. All these forms of slavery still exist in the modern world. The most vulnerable categories of the population suffer the most from it. It is noted that the international community has set an ambitious goal to eradicate child slavery by 2025, and by 2030 – everywhere on a global scale. This ambitious goal correlates with the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. However, the COVID-19 pandemic, armed conflicts, hybrid confrontations, climate change and other global challenges impede the final elimination of all forms of slavery. All of this defines new opportunities and challenges for the international community in the fight against all manifestations of slavery and the prospects for overcoming it.
Number of views: 22 Download in PDF
Modern Slavery: The Concept and Evolving Challenges for International Law
Slavery: Theory and Practice. 2023. 8(1): 75-86.
Number of views: 19 Download in PDF
Slavery: Theory and Practice. 2023. 8(1): 75-86.
Abstract:
Slavery in the fact of reality, as modern forms of slavery exist in our time, such as sexual exploitation, human trafficking, bride selling, forced marriages, many forms of child labor, forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflicts, the enslavement of other groups of vulnerable populations, debt bondage, etc. Modern slavery (or neo-slavery) is a grave and pervasive human rights violation characterized by the exploitation and abuse of individuals. The purpose of the study is to characterize the concept and forms of modern slavery, analyze the theoretical background of the issue and international courts` jurisprudence concerning slavery, and identify problems facing the international community and legal systems in this context. The author sums up the characteristics of slavery as a social phenomenon involving the exercising by one person of control and actual possession of another; treating as a property, in some cases transferability and inheritance; deprivation of freedom; forced labor or services; coercion, threats, violence, or other forms of intimidation. In a legal sense, the main features of modern slavery can be designated: 1) deprivation or significant limitation of legal personality, 2) artificially created, as a rule, with the help of violence or psychological pressure, the inability to exercise human rights at the same level as other members of society; 3) the duration of the state and the inability for the victim to change the situation in principle. In cases where these signs are not observed (for example, when a person realizes that he is being exploited and violated, he can stop this condition but does not do this for economic reasons), other offenses could be identified, but not slavery or servitude in legal terms. The primary task of international law at the present stage is the prevention of local and global wars, the termination of armed conflicts that have already arisen, and, apparently, the construction of a new system of international immunity. Only the achievement of this goal can ensure the sustainable development of humanity, which means that slavery in its various manifestations will be eradicated.
Slavery in the fact of reality, as modern forms of slavery exist in our time, such as sexual exploitation, human trafficking, bride selling, forced marriages, many forms of child labor, forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflicts, the enslavement of other groups of vulnerable populations, debt bondage, etc. Modern slavery (or neo-slavery) is a grave and pervasive human rights violation characterized by the exploitation and abuse of individuals. The purpose of the study is to characterize the concept and forms of modern slavery, analyze the theoretical background of the issue and international courts` jurisprudence concerning slavery, and identify problems facing the international community and legal systems in this context. The author sums up the characteristics of slavery as a social phenomenon involving the exercising by one person of control and actual possession of another; treating as a property, in some cases transferability and inheritance; deprivation of freedom; forced labor or services; coercion, threats, violence, or other forms of intimidation. In a legal sense, the main features of modern slavery can be designated: 1) deprivation or significant limitation of legal personality, 2) artificially created, as a rule, with the help of violence or psychological pressure, the inability to exercise human rights at the same level as other members of society; 3) the duration of the state and the inability for the victim to change the situation in principle. In cases where these signs are not observed (for example, when a person realizes that he is being exploited and violated, he can stop this condition but does not do this for economic reasons), other offenses could be identified, but not slavery or servitude in legal terms. The primary task of international law at the present stage is the prevention of local and global wars, the termination of armed conflicts that have already arisen, and, apparently, the construction of a new system of international immunity. Only the achievement of this goal can ensure the sustainable development of humanity, which means that slavery in its various manifestations will be eradicated.
Number of views: 19 Download in PDF
Letters to the Editorial Office
7. Aleksandr A. Cherkasov
About the Results of the 4th International Competition “Slavery in the Past and Present”
Slavery: Theory and Practice. 2023. 8(1): 87-88.
Number of views: 21 Download in PDF
8. Slavery: Theory and Practice. 2023. 8(1): 87-88.
Abstract:
On July 10, 2020, the annual international competition for the best research work “Slavery in the past and present” was established. The founders of the competition were the East European Historical Society, Cherkas Global University (Washington, USA), as well as KAD International (Effiduase-Koforidua, Eastern Region, Ghana). In 2021–2022, the 2nd and 3rd similar competitions were held, and on February 17, 2023, the 4th International Competition was announced. On December 2, 2023, on the international day for abolition of slavery, the expert commission of the competition summed up its work and selected the 5 best works. The winners represented countries such as the USA, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Slovakia and Uzbekistan. The works of the winners are published in the journal “Slavery: Theory and Practice” for 2023.
On July 10, 2020, the annual international competition for the best research work “Slavery in the past and present” was established. The founders of the competition were the East European Historical Society, Cherkas Global University (Washington, USA), as well as KAD International (Effiduase-Koforidua, Eastern Region, Ghana). In 2021–2022, the 2nd and 3rd similar competitions were held, and on February 17, 2023, the 4th International Competition was announced. On December 2, 2023, on the international day for abolition of slavery, the expert commission of the competition summed up its work and selected the 5 best works. The winners represented countries such as the USA, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Slovakia and Uzbekistan. The works of the winners are published in the journal “Slavery: Theory and Practice” for 2023.
Number of views: 21 Download in PDF