Indentured servants worked for a predetermined amount of time, normally 7 years, to repay passage to the new world. A slave was owned and would never be free and their children would never be free.
No. Indentured workers were very early in colonial history and slaves replaced them as workers.
Similarities: Both slaves and indentured servants were considered property and could be bought and sold. They were often used as laborers in various industries. Differences: Slaves were owned for life and had no rights or control over their own fate, while indentured servants worked for a set period of time to pay off a debt or obligation and could eventually gain their freedom. Indentured servants also had some legal protections and could eventually become free members of society.
Landowners preferred using slaves over indentured servants because slaves were seen as a lifelong and inheritable source of labor, while indentured servants could only work for a limited period of time. Slaves were also considered to be a more profitable and reliable workforce as they were seen as a long-term investment. Additionally, the racial hierarchy of the time often justified the use of slaves over indentured servants.
They used indentured servants.
New England had indentured servants
A benefit for indentured slaves is that they get their trip payed. They just need to work off the amount of years to pay back.
Slaves are owned by other people. Indentured servants signed a 7 year contract and were free people.
Indentured servants were cheaper to employers compared to slaves.
When the colonies required indentured servants or slaves it was to do the work. The first slave arrived in Jamestown in 1609 and after tobacco got a start in the colony workers were needed. Indentured servants didn't work out as well, so more slaves were brought in than indentured servants.
New York had indentured servants and slaves.
The colony with few slaves but many indentured servants was Virginia. In the early days of the colony, before the widespread use of African slaves, indentured servants from England were a significant source of labor.
Slaves could be worked longer and harder and treated poorer than indentured servants, making them a financially better deal for the owners. In addition, as the laws changed, the children of slaves became slaves themselves. Indentured servants would move on when their debt was paid.