What was an indentured servant in the colonies? Why did the economy of Virginia encourage indentured servitude?
Indentured Servitude in the Colonies and Virginia’s Economy What was an indentured servant in the colonies? Why did the economy of Virginia encourage indentured servitude?
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An indentured servant in the colonies was an individual, usually from Europe, who agreed to work for a certain number of years (typically 4 to 7) in exchange for passage to America, food, clothing, and shelter.
The economy of Virginia encouraged indentured servitude primarily because of its labor-intensive tobacco farming. The demand for labor to cultivate tobacco crops was high, and indentured servants provided a source of cheap labor to meet this demand, allowing landowners to profit from the tobacco industry.
An indentured servant in the colonies was a person who agreed to work for a certain number of years (usually 4 to 7) in exchange for passage to America, food, shelter, and eventually land or money upon the completion of their service.
The economy of Virginia encouraged indentured servitude primarily due to the labor-intensive nature of tobacco farming. As tobacco became a cash crop, there was a high demand for laborers. Indentured servitude provided a solution to this labor shortage, allowing landowners to cultivate their crops effectively while also helping individuals escape poverty or find new opportunities in the colonies.
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