From indentured servitude to slavery in America

Focus Question Why was labor so important in colonial society?

Objectives After today’s lesson, you will: Evaluate reasons people would choose to become indentured servants. Examine the shift from semi-free indentured labor to slave labor in the colonies

Arrival of Africans in America “About the latter end of August, a Dutch Man-of-War... arrived at Point-Comfort.... He brought not any thing but 20 and odd Negroes, which the Governor and Cape Merchants bought for food at the best and easiest rates they could....” John Rolfe Letter to Sir Edwin Sandys 1619

Convoluted relationships “Mr. Taylor and I have divided our corn and I am very glad of it for now I know mine own ground.” Anthony the Negro Virginia Court Document, 1645

Society Based on Indentured Labor Large quantity of English Poor Lacked ability to find work Willing to accept servitude Low life expectancies in Virginia (average 4 years) Monopoly on the slave trade drives up the price for slaves

Importance of Indentured Labor With indentured labor readily available, the cost of indentured servants was low. Why turn to slave labor? Remains common in New England SOCIETY WITH SLAVES

Competing Theories Why switch to a system of slave labor? Two theories English colonies turned to slavery to prevent class conflict Economic shifts

Class Conflict Rivalry between Planters and Poor in Virginia Economy and government favored the wealthy Poor farmers felt ignored Bacon’s Rebellion terrified the Planters Virginia needs a permanent unfree labor force Turn to slave labor, rather than indentured servants Divide and conquer Tie poor whites to the Planters with privilege

Economic Model Pool of indentured labor dried up Learned of the horror of life in Virginia Public works jobs existed in England Great Fire of London Life expectancies rose (by 1650, average was 20 years) Royal African Company lost its monopoly in 1689

Transformation to a Slave Society Costs of Indentured servants rising Costs of slaves falling Labor needs met by slaves, not servants Southern economy based on slave labor SLAVE SOCIETY

Summary Describe the most important item you learned in class today.