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The Terrible Transformation

The Terrible Transformation. From indentured servitude to slavery in America. Focus Question. Why was labor so important in colonial society?. Arrival of Africans in America.

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The Terrible Transformation

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  1. The Terrible Transformation From indentured servitude to slavery in America

  2. Focus Question • Why was labor so important in colonial society?

  3. Arrival of Africans in America “About the latter end of August, a Dutch Man-of-War ... arrived at Point-Comfort .... He brought not any thing but 20 and odd Negroes, which the Governor and Cape Merchants bought for food at the best and easiest rates they could. . . .” John Rolfe Letter to Sir Edwin Sandys 1619

  4. Convoluted relationships “Mr. Taylor and I have divided our corn and I am very glad of it for now I know mine own ground.” Anthony the Negro Virginia Court Document, 1645

  5. Convoluted relationships “Mr. Taylor and I have divided our corn and I am very glad of it for now I know mine own ground.” Anthony the Negro Virginia Court Document, 1645

  6. Society Based on Indentured Labor • Large quantity of English Poor • Lacked ability to find work • Willing to accept servitude • Low life expectancies in Virginia (average 6years) • Monopoly on the slave trade drives up the price for slaves

  7. Importance of Indentured Labor • With indentured labor readily available, the cost of indentured servants was low. • Why turn to slave labor? • Remains common in New England SOCIETY WITH SLAVES

  8. Competing Theories • Why switch to a system of slave labor? • Two theories • English colonies turned to slavery to prevent class conflict • Economic shifts

  9. Class Struggle • Events of Bacon’s Rebellion shook Virginia Elites • Poor farmer, indentured servants, slaves revolted • Destroyed Jamestown in 1676 • Rebellion put down in 1677 • Virginia Elites still needed labor • Indentured servants no longer attractive • Switched to a permanent unfree labor force

  10. Economic Model • Pool of indentured labor dried up • Learned of the horror of life in Virginia • Public works jobs existed in England • Great Fire of London • Life expectancies rose (by 1650, average was 20 years) • Royal African Company lost its monopoly in 1689

  11. Transformation to a Slave Society • Costs of Indentured servants rising • Costs of slaves falling • Labor needs met by slaves, not servants • Southern economy based on slave labor • SLAVE SOCIETY

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