Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

Slave labor and "slave" labor.



Slave labor was too expensive to use because you risked losing your valuable capital. Instead new immigrants were used such as Irish (East Coast) or Chinese (West Coast).


That's the "slave" labor.


Slave labour was used sometimes, e.g. the Thailand-Burma railway.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burma_Railway

Five hundred men died for every mile of track laid, but hey, they had too many prisoners anyway!




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2025 batch! Applications are open till Aug 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: