Why did the middle colonies have indentured servants?

Answer 1

When America was still a British colony, there was a great need for workers, to help with the farms and plantations. While the southern part of the country would soon become known for using African slaves, in those early years of Colonial America, there were a large number of "indentured servants": these were young men and women from poor parts of Europe (mostly from England and Germany) who wanted to start a new (and what they hoped would be better) life in the New World. They had no money to pay for passage to America, so they indentured themselves: that is, they agreed to hire themselves out as servants to wealthy landowners in America, in exchange for passage to this country, food, clothing, and the possibility of learning some new skills.

Indentured servants worked for a period of three to seven years, at which time they had (theoretically) worked off their debt and could be free to live an independent life. Unfortunately, not all of them got the new life they had hoped for, as not every landowner was a compassionate or ethical boss. Many of the European immigrants found their time in America to be quite a disappointment. On the other hand, some did manage to repay their debt and become independent farmers or tradesmen.

Answer 2

Indentured servants came to America after the passing of the Royal Act of Freedom and Advancement. This act made being an indentured servant illegal. In America however it was still legal.

Answer 3

They would become servants to be able to come to the "New World"...

Answer 4

Because old Americana's where lazy and disgusting. there where not needed. all of the indentured servants are basically slaves.

Answer 5

To be used as basically used as unpaid slaves, but their pay was that they were ensured life in America.

Answer 6

it was a chance to have a better life