Indentured servitude differed from slavery in that it was a form of debt bondage, meaning it was an agreed upon term of unpaid labor that usually paid off the costs of the servant’s immigration to America. Indentured servants were not paid wages but they were generally housed, clothed, and fed.

What is a similarity between indentured servants and slaves?

Indentured servants and slaves were treated in broadly similar ways. They were both brought to the New World in horrible conditions with many dying along the way. They were both subject to physical punishment from their masters. They both worked for no pay and with no control over their working lives.

How did African slaves compare to indentured servants as a labor force?

How did African slaves compare to indentured servants as a labor force? The Africans were more skilled, they came in larger quantities, they could not leave and were overall more productive and beneficial to the owners.

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How was slavery more profitable than an indentured servant?

Slaves were more profitable than indentured servants because they were permanent possessions of their masters. Slave owners always treated their slaves properly, providing them with adequate food, clothing, and shelter. Southerners said they needed slaves in order to maintain their economy.

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How was indentured servitude different from enslavement of Africans in the British North American colonies?

How was indentured servitude different from enslavement of Africans in the British North American colonies? Indentured servants were freed at the end of a set number of years. Children born during an indentured servant’s term had to serve until adulthood. Only men could be indentured.

Are indentured servants and slaves the same?

Indentured servitude was not slavery as individuals entered contracts of their own free will. However, indentured servants could be sold, loaned, or inherited, at least during the duration of their contract terms.

Why were indentured servants preferred over slaves?

Slavery had been used for thousands of years prior to the use of African slaves in colonial America. Although the English later used racism to justify the enslavement of Africans, the main reason slaves became the main labor force was because slaves were a better financial option than indentured servants.

What is the difference between indentured servants and slaves?

Slaves are sold by African kings and can be gathered from people who were captured from war or were imprisoned. Unlike indentured servants, slaves had fewer/no rights. Indentured servants had more rights than slaves and were still free by law. Slaves, however, weren’t free and were instead owned by people.

How were indentured servants diffrent from slaves?

Indentured servants can be freed after working for a certain period of time. Slaves are not given their freedom, causing them to remain slaves until their owner releases them. Neither slaves or indentured servants are paid during their service.

Why did African slavery replace indentured servants?

Virginia replaced indentured servants with african slaves for economic reasons. The number of indentured servants available was decreasing and the terms of indenture were on the order of years whereas slaves were bonded for life.