What is slavery besides theft of another’s work, and coveting his work in the future?
Well there is the rape of the women and the torture or murder of any who resist.
I figure the 10 commandments have it pretty well covered.
What is slavery? It's compulsory labor under terms refused by cockroaches. It's an ancient system of captive labor, disastrous to anyone who falls into it, sells himself or family members into it (as ancient Germans who had lost their freedom through gambling addiction were said to do, to pay their debts), or is condemned by a court to endure in consequence of one's crimes and debts. It is likewise injurious -- as any undercompensated labor is, free or bond -- to anyone who works for a living wage.
That's what it is. It is the worst possible labor system for people who work, but it was legal and pervasive in 1861, and banned in only one or two visionary countries whose economies, by the way, were not substantially reliant on it.