Slavery over Indentured Servitude

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In southern colonies of North America indentured servitude was declining due to slavery coming to the colonies and the slaves possessing many traits that would accelerate the plantation production rate for cheaper. Indentured servants could work of their debts to the plantation owners, but slaves had to stay with their plantation owners and so did the slaves offspring. The slaves also proved to be better workers in the hot climate of the southern colonies, the cost were cheaper, were already experienced farmers, and easier to controll.
Farming on plantations in the south was hard due to the amount of crops that needed harvesting and the intense heat in the southern climate. African slaves were better suited for the heat because of the dark complexion of their skin and they were also experienced farmers. “A Negro man or woman must account for a quarter acre daily” (Document C). A quarter acre daily was for making furrows to plant rice on the plantations. Africans were experienced in planting rice and handled the heat and sun better than indentured servants and could get more work done for a cheaper amount. Benjamin Franklin commented on slavery by saying, “Why then will Americans purchase slaves? Because Slaves may be kept as long as a Man pleases, or has Occasion for their Labor…” (Document H). “Be it enacted…all negro mulatto and Indian slaves…shall be judged to real estate and shall descend unto the heirs and widows of persons departing this life, according to the manner and custom of land of inheritance, held in simple.” (Document G). Purchasing slaves was different from indentured servants because the slaves had to stay on the plantation and if the slaves had any children then the children inherited the life of a slave. Where...

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...rs to beat and kill slaves if they resisted to do work for their master. This demonstrated power and set the standards for other slaves to work to keep their lives. “..[Mr. Bacon and his supports] complaine that the great Taxes are Imposed upon them every yeare…” (Document F). Bacon’s followers were indentured servants and due to the uprising of the poor people in Virginia, indentured servants were becoming too hard to control. Slaves on the other hand were easier to control. Slaves were proving to be all around better than indentured servants.
In southern colonies of North America indentured servitude was declining due to slavery coming to the colonies and the slaves possessing many traits that would accelerate the plantation production rate for cheaper. Being easier to control, cheaper, and already knowing how to farm and handle the heat of the south slaves were

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