What term is used to describe the practice of treating slaves as commodities in America?

The term that describes the practice of treating slaves as commodities in America is chattel slavery. This system defined enslaved people as property, not as individuals with rights, which meant they could be bought, sold, and traded like goods. Chattel slavery was characterized by the complete ownership of slaves by their masters, who had authority over every aspect of their lives, including their labor, movement, and family relationships.

Rather than being temporary or contractual, chattel slavery was a lifelong condition with descendants also inheriting the status, creating a hereditary system of enslavement. This system was foundational to the economic and social structures in various regions of the Americas, making it uniquely brutal in comparison to other forms of labor such as indentured servitude, which involved temporary contracts and the prospect of freedom, or bonded labor, which typically involves a debt that can be paid off. Understanding chattel slavery's role and impact is essential to grasping the historical context of America's social and economic development.