Ancient history

How was the system of master-slave relations that developed in nineteenth century US best described?

Chattel slavery

Chattel slavery was the legal status of a human being as property of another human being. It was a common institution in the United States from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Under chattel slavery, enslaved people were considered to be property, just like animals or objects, and could be bought, sold, traded, or inherited. They had no legal rights and could be subjected to any kind of treatment by their masters.