Similarities Between Indentured Servitude And Slavery

Indentured servitude and the slavery system both played a major role in the development of colonial economy during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Prior to the French and Indian war, the American colonies mostly ruled themselves and were in a relatively good economic situation. Despite their successfulness with political issues, the colonists desperately needed help with labor as there was so much work that needed to be done to the land. The need for labor was fulfilled in two ways; indentured servants and African slaves. While the to groups were treated differently and received different levels of respect, both worked the land and ultimately helped the colonists economy to boom. The slavery system and indentured servants helped to put the American colonies in a better economic situation in the years leading up to the American revolution.

Indentured servitude began in the seventeenth century when many Europeans wanted to start a life in the colonies. In many European nations the colonies were heavily advertised and families were encouraged to move to America. The problem with the Colonies’ new popularity was the expenses: most families could not afford the trip over to America, and if they could, most would not have enough money to then purchase land and support their family. Still, many people still wanted to come …show more content…
Despite the differences between the two systems (one group was freed after finishing a short term of servitude while another was considered personal property for life) both provided labor that was desperately needed by the colonists in order to improve society. Their labor also helped to better the American economy by putting more effort into the crop industry and producing more to export. Both types of workers essentially created the American economy and helped the colonies to become stronger and more independent on the eve of the American