Indentured Servitude

Words: 403
Pages: 2
Open Document
The Virginia Company, the first joint-stock company, was chartered by King James I in 1606 and was expected to colonize the eastern coast of North America for the English monarch. By 1612 John Rolfe, a settler of the Virginia colony had successfully cultivated tobacco; soon after, the value of tobacco skyrocketed as the demand for the product soared in Europe. With an abundance of land and the lack of means to enslave the indigenous peoples upon its arrival to North America, the company was quickly forced to create a system of labor known as indentured servitude. Under this system, a company would pay for the cost of a person’s passage to America, in return for a contract of repayment through means of servitude, which was generally seven years. …show more content…
As the British North American colonies developed however, it was not uncommon for the elite aristocracy to deny their indentured servants the land they were promised in their contracts. This created an array of issues as the former indentured servants began to defy the local colonial governments and occupy native land. The colonial aristocracy felt threatened by the newly freed servants demand for land and quickly realized the problems of indentured servitude. Landowners then turned to African slaves as a more profitable and ever-renewable source of labor; considering that the slaves were in fact immune to most diseases and capable of working in harsh climates, growing labor-intensive crops such as tobacco, sugar, rice and indigo. As a result, the shift from the use of white indentured servants to African slavery had begun. The slave trade developed as a part of the trans-Atlantic interactions between the British North American colonies and Europe, and Africans were transported primarily across the Middle Passage. By the eighteenth century, slavery was an accepted form of labor throughout the colonies and was particularly commonplace in the south. African slaves quickly became the preferred source of labor and played a pivotal role in the Atlantic slave trade
Show More

Related Documents: Indentured Servitude

Indentured Servitude In America

Slavery in America is often discussed in conversations regarding race. Although africans were used as slaves, it was at a later time. In fact, indentured servitude existed in England before the slave trade. It acted as a contract between a person with a set of skills, and someone who was in need of that skill set. Most contracts in England lasted a year, but ultimately the term was agreed upon prior to signing. This was taking place during the sixteenth and seventeenth century and carried over into…

Words 358 - Pages 2

Indentured Servitude Essay

Before slavery was established, servitude was the source of labor. Indentured servants were the workers in servitude, and they weren’t treated like property. Indentured servants would usually be men and women who would agree to work for their “owner” for certain amount of time till they paid off their debt from transportation to the ‘New World’. Their bosses would treat them fairly and usually provide food, clothing, and shelter along with transportation. When slavery became involved in society…

Words 526 - Pages 3

Indentured Servitude Research Paper

Indentured servitude developed out of England. Young people signed contracts with masters for certain number of years in exchange for a free ride to the new world. Young men were suppose receive clothing, tools and sometimes land. All depends on how well their service was to their master. Women didn’t get much all that was expected of them was to get married once they years were up. By the late 17th century indentured servant population was the largest elements of the colonial population. This was…

Words 264 - Pages 2

Indentured Servitude In Colonial America

Colonies and Europe. All thirteen Colonies gave opportunities to many foreigners who wanted to move to Colonial America. That was the beginning of indentured servitude. Indentured servitude is a person under contract to work for another person for a definite period of time, usually without pay, but in exchange for free passage to a new country. Indentured servitude was a way to a better life for many men and women.…

Words 456 - Pages 2

Dbq Indentured Servitude Research Paper

plantations were weakened, and unable to produce sufficient harvests or products. However, even with the new method of working in the Americas, indentured servitude, consequences appeared throughout its existence. These adverse effects became increasingly apparent, and even resulted in the speaking out of the recruits. The introduction of indentured servitude was due to the need for more laborers in the Colonial Americas. During the 1800’s, this area experienced major economic changes lead by the eradication…

Words 592 - Pages 3

Summary: Colonial Indentured Servants

a result, indentured servitude and slave labor became an essential piece for developing America. The textbook, Oakes of the People, puts this into perspective by stating, “Those who could take advantage of these opportunities profited wildly, whereas the poor, both white and African, were without defense” (Oakes of the People p. 68). This defenseless system lead to the inhumane treatment endured by the indentured servants and slaves of the time-period. The brutality that the indentured…

Words 1263 - Pages 6

Frethorne: The Life Of An Indentured Servant

The life of an indentured servant was very challenging. There was a slim survival rate and everyone was dying of disease and lacking sufficient nutrition. In his letter, Frethorne describes death, disease, and the possibility of him dying if his servitude is not redeemed. Perhaps the most depressing aspect of the life described in the letter is how the servants were treated. A week of food for an indentured servant was equivalent to a day supply in the colony. Many of Frethorne’s fellow servants…

Words 345 - Pages 2

Indentured Migration DBQ

and 19th centuries there are many causes and consequences of the system of indentured servitude that developed as part of global economic changes from 19th century to the 20th century. The indentured servitude system caused harsh working conditions (Doc #5,8), and massive migrations (Doc #3,4,6,9). However, these changes were caused by the enormous need for labor in the Western Hemisphere (Doc #2,7). Indentured servitude developed because of the need for labor in the Western Hemisphere. For example…

Words 800 - Pages 4

Powerpointu.S History Essay

• What is the difference of indentured Servitude compared to slavery of Africans? Did it help the economy or bring it further into debt? • Indentured slavery was a façade to help government remain control of finances. Those being indentured servants were blind because of the idea of ‘paying off’ a debt but only putting themselves in more restrictions. • Choice • Costs • Benefits • Labor performed by indentured servants and becoming one was a easy way for immigrants to travel to what they…

Words 429 - Pages 2

Comparative Aspects Of Slavery In Brazil

capitalism (Tetlock et al., 1994). The most common labor arrangement during the times of slavery in North America was indentured servitude. Indentured servitude lead to a higher acceptance of slavery and ended general servitude as the main form of labor (Watson, 2014). Indentured servitude became established in the early 1600s in one of America’s earliest colonies, Jamestown. Indentured servitude made it reasonable for those deported from numerous European countries to adventure into the New World and was…

Words 1037 - Pages 5