1. The Southern Economy

2. Cash Crops
Crop grown for profit
Ex – tobacco, rice, indigo

3. Plantations
Large commercial agricultural estate

4. Tobacco Imported by England60 50 40 30 20 10
1705
1715
1725
1735
1745
1755
1765
1775

5. Tobacco Imported by England60 50 40 30 20 10
1705
1715
1725
1735
1745
1755
1765
1775

6. Indentured Servants Why were people leaving England?
Religious freedom, looking for wealth
What did these indentured servants get?
Passage, clothes, food, work experience, sometimes land
What did they have to give in return?
Work for 3-7 years
Was this profitable venture for tobacco planters?
Earn them more land, Indentured Servants pay for themselves five times over
Was this a good system for the indentured servants?
Yes – opportunity
NO – some never reach end of contract, aren’t able to compete once free?

7. Southern Society Planter Elite (gentry)
Wealthy land owners (20 slaves)
Backcountry farmers (yeoman)
Owner of small farm w/ 4 or fewer slaves
Indentured servants
Agree to work for set amount of time in exchange for passage, food, & shelter
Enslaved A.A & N.A.
Captured and forced to work for free, zero rights
Slave codes