Changes

By the 19th century, and after the American Civil War, most European and Western states had banned slavery. However, it continued to persist in many parts of the world. Slavery continued to be legal in the Persian Gulf emirates into the 1960s. However, in the 20th century, slavery once again transformed. This time, it reverted back into something that was more market driven but not based as much on race, although certain ethnic groups have been subject to slavery due to the countries of origin. High wage differences between first and third world countries has led to forms of servitude that promises financial rewards but often leads to abuse and bondage. In some states in the West, Middle East, and East Asia, human trafficking has become a problem where prostitution, legalized and illegal forms, and manufacturing have led to Eastern Europeans, Central and South Americans, South Asians, and East Asians in particular being put into positions of virtual slavery. Although slavery is now universally illegally, human trafficking can be found in nearly every country.<ref>For more on modern slavery, see: Davidson, J. (2015). Modern slavery: the margins of freedom. London New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.</ref>