Labor in Colonial America Research Assignment Paper

Labor in Colonial America
Your Name
December 26, 2016
Your Institution of Affiliation
According to Wolfe & McCartney (2015), “Indentured servants were men and women who signed a contract by which they agreed to work for a certain number of years in exchange for transportation to Virginia and, once they arrived, food, clothing, and shelter (Wolfe & McCartney, 2015). This system first happened after the Virginia company resided in Jamestown during the 1600s (PBS.Org, n.d.). The system of Indentured servitude became more appealing and beneficial (at least as how it seemed) for both the masters and the indentured servant by then, because the rise of this type of system followed a time in Europe where its economy collapsed – the time after the Thirty years war (USHistory.org, 2016). Because of this, thousands of skilled workers needed a job, thus making the opportunity very pleasant to the ears. It is important to note, though, that during this time African slavery already existed (sparsely) and relative to Indentured servitude the relationship between the two parties are much better in the latter. This is because, unlike slavery, Indentured servitude works within an agreed contract which is both signed by the servant and the master, and makes sure that the fare of the servant and his/her needs are ensured. However, aside from being an opportunity to find work on the side of the workers, this system is more of a response to the increasing lack of labor force in Southern America during the 1680s (USHistory.org, 2016). Couple this with the increase in demand on the production of rice, indigo, and tobacco, the system seemed to be a very efficient, economic, and beneficial for both parties. However, after Bacon’s rebellion in 1676, the workers of this system began to settle with the use of African slave...