Shift from Non- Racially Specific Indentured Servitude to Perpetual

Raced-Based Slavery in the American Colonies



Shift from Non- Racially Specific Indentured Servitude to Perpetual

Raced-Based Slavery in the American Colonies

Introduction

British colonization in America resulted in indentured servitude. This system was established under the Virginia Company in James Town settlement, to provide labor for plantation. This system was based under the equal contractual terms for all servants from Europe, Asia, and Africa. After completion of their service period, these servants were allowed freedom dues and land in the American colony. After slave act, there was a major shift from servitude to slavery. This served as ground for the racial discrimination in American society.

Thesis Statement

Decline of European immigration and implementation of Slave Law resulted in the shift from non- racially specific indentured servitude to perpetual raced-based slavery in the American colonies.

Discussion

Non Racial Indentured Servitude

After the thirty years war, European economy was in worst conditions, unemployment was a major concern, and this resulted in various social and ethical concerns, in the European society. Colonization and British settlements served a way to provide means for economic stability, such as imposing taxes on colonies and increasing profits by decreasing their costs with cheap labor. This strategy turned out to be the most successful after the discovery of America and with the British colonization in this New World. Lands in America with rich soil for plantation were opportunities to boost European economy, but availability of labor was a major concern.

With the settlement of Jamestown by Virginia Company in 1607, “the idea of indentured servitude was born of a need for cheap labor” (www.pbs.org). Virginia Company provided attraction for unemployed workers in Europe to migrate to the New World. These European immigrants arrived to American colonies as indentured servants at lower costs and served at low wages. The indentured involved no racial discrimination; it was only migration for the economic purposes. These labors were not slaves, but they had to face many difficulties as immigrants with no proper accommodations and facilities. There were strict laws for these labors, with strict punishments for attempting escapes and breaking laws.

Labors were migrated from Europe to America against a contract for their for two to seven years labor in exchange for money, lodging and freedom dues. These servants had to suffer harsh treatment of their masters and life became worst for these labors. After completion of their labor period, these servants were granted their freedom, with freedom dues and about 250 acres of land (Thompson, 1975). This provided opportunity for these servants to have their own land and they become permanent settlers in that society. Some of these servants later become elites in that society. With the passage of time, there was an improvement in the European economy, with opportunities for the remaining people to get better employment in their own homeland. This resulted in a decrease in migration from Europe to America. Africa was the best choice and African servants were brought to America under the same contractual ...