American slavery was a system in which millions of African people were forcibly taken from their homes and brought to the United States to work without pay. This practice began in the early 17th century and continued until the mid-19th century. Enslaved individuals were often subjected to harsh conditions, violence, and a complete lack of rights, treated as property rather than human beings. The Transatlantic Slave Trade played a significant role in the establishment of slavery in America, with enslaved Africans being transported across the ocean in brutal conditions. The Civil War and the subsequent Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 eventually led to the abolition of slavery, but its legacy continues to impact American society today.