Essay About Large Quantities And Indentured Servants

Economic, Geographic and Social Impact on Slavery
Essay Preview: Economic, Geographic and Social Impact on Slavery
Report this essay
From the founding of Jamestown to the beginning of the American Revolution, the
slavery was intertwined in the life of the southern colonies. Despite the colonies prior
dependence on the indentured servants, slaves soon became an ideal source of labor due to the
lack of reliability with servants. Influenced by economic, geographic and social factors, slavery
soon became a vital part of the southern colonies economy from 1607 to 1775.
During this period, the economy in the southern colonies was booming due to the trade of
cash crops such as tobacco and rice. In order to meet the demand for tobacco, the plant needed to
be harvested in large quantities, which in turn required a large amount of land and labor. Farmers
soon turned to indentured servants and slaves to fulfill their need of labor. Servants served their
master for a term of four to seven years compared to slaves who were bound to their masters for
life. While slaves turned to be more expensive than servants, owners would also be in charge of
the slaves offspring thus giving owners more labor for their money. Towards the end of the 17th
century slaves became economically viable sources of labor for the growing tobacco culture as
they were a source of cheap labor (www.ida.net). As a result, slavery played a significant role in
the plantation system. In addition, after the Royal African Company lost its monopoly on the
slave trade in 1698, farmers jumped at the opportunity to make money quickly as the demand for
labor was sought after all across the world (www.pbs.org). Thus, the economic conditions of the
southern colonies encouraged the growth of slavery.
The geographic nature of the southern colonies promoted the growth of slavery during
the British colonial era. The rich and fertile soil and the warm and humid climate made the area
ideal for growing cash crops such as cotton and rice. As the plantations were spread across the
land, the need for laborers became apparent. In addition, the laborers would need to be able to
work in the hot climates of the south. Slaves seemed to be the ideal source of labor as they were