Benefits Of Slavery In Colonial America

In the 1600s, many English men and women began to take advantage of the land and economical benefits they could have in America. The economic system of Colonial America consisted of agriculture, and slavery. Slavery was blooming in Colonial America and to maintain order in servants and slaves many new laws were introduced. The “Virginia Servant and Slave Laws” were set in motion during these times as a set of laws that defined the status of individuals as free or slave, and the consequences servants and slaves could face if they do not obey their master. These laws allowed masters to benefit immensely from the misfortune of their servants or slaves. Despite the consequences servants and slaves could experience, some still sought out to find …show more content…
These laws were extremely harsh towards servants and slaves. For example, one law stated that, “The court shall lymitt a longer time of service porportionable to the damage” (“Virginia Servant and Slave Laws,” in Handout Ser. p. 2). This means that the servant who runs away would have more time added to their contract to make up for their absence from their master. Ultimately, the master would benefit because of the extra time the servant would have to work. Another law passed stated that, “All children borne in this country shalbe held bond [slave] or free according to the condition of the mother” (“Virginia Servant and Slave Laws,” in Handout Ser. p. 2). As a result, of this law, masters who own slaves that are pregnant will be able to treat the child as a slave. Not only will the master have an additional slave, but he or she will have the option of making more profit by selling the baby. Also, historical evidence illustrates that, “Planters … received a head-right of fifty acres of land from the colonial government for every newly purchased servant” (Roark, The American Promise, p. 57). This way the masters would profit land while exploiting servants. For these reasons, master essentially can make an immense profit in land, money, or time from having servants and …show more content…
A Virginia law stated that, “Many negroes have lately beene, and now are out in rebellion in sundry parts of this country” (“Virginia Servant and Slave Laws,” in Handout Set. p. 3). The goals of the rebellious servants or slaves were to runaway in hopes of becoming free. However, if they were found there were consequences. For instance, a Virginia law stated that, “It shall and may be lawful for any person who shall endeavour to take them … to kill or wound him or them soe resisting” (“Virginia Servant and Slave Laws,” in Handout Set. p. 3). This law essentially states that if runaway servants or slaves are caught they can be killed if they resist. Another example of an unsuccessful rebellion is the Stono Rebellion. In this rebellion, slaves stole guns and ammunition from a store, killed more than 20 of their white superiors, and burned their crops. As a results of their actions, they were beheaded, and a new law was introduced that allowed slave to be harshly