12. Indigenous Slavery in the Americas Pre-Columbus
Long before European arrival, many Indigenous societies in the Americas practiced various forms of slavery. Among the Aztec and Maya, captives were often forced into labor, tribute, or ritual sacrifice.
In the Pacific Northwest, groups like the Haida and Tlingit enslaved war captives and incorporated them into their communities. These systems were complex, with meanings and practices distinct from later European-imposed slavery, yet they significantly shaped social hierarchies and cultural life. Learn about indigenous slavery in the Americas
