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Difficulty: MediumDevelopment of Chattel Slavery

"Our land is fertile, yet our hands are few. The servants we import from England do cost us much in passage and, having served their short indenture, do straightway set up for themselves, demanding their freedom dues and land of their own. Thus, they become our competitors rather than our laborers, and many among them, being poor and landless, do grow discontented and prone to mutiny. It is therefore of far greater advantage to purchase Negroes from the African merchants; for their service is perpetual, and being of a distinct race and condition, they are easily kept in subjection, securing our estates and the peace of the colony."

—Adapted from letters of Virginia planters, c. 1685

Which of the following historical developments in the late seventeenth century best explains the shift in colonial labor systems described in the excerpt?

  1. A
    The formal integration of the Spanish encomienda system into British colonial law to regulate Native American labor
  2. The decreasing supply of English indentured servants alongside growing fears of social unrest among landless white colonistsAnswer
  3. C
    The legal classification of European indentured servants as lifelong chattel property to match the status of African laborers
  4. D
    The establishment of strict religious requirements for plantation labor in the Puritan colonies of New England

Answer

The decreasing supply of English indentured servants alongside growing fears of social unrest among landless white colonists
The correct answer is correct because in the late seventeenth century, improving economic conditions in England led to a decline in the number of English citizens willing to migrate as indentured servants. Concurrently, events like Bacon's Rebellion (1676) heightened elite planters' fears of social instability caused by a growing class of poor, landless former indentured servants. These factors, along with the growing availability of enslaved Africans, accelerated the transition to chattel slavery.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the primary source excerpt to identify the planter's complaints about indentured servants and the advantages of African labor.
The planter notes that indentured servants serve short terms, demand land, compete with planters, and are prone to mutiny, while African laborers serve for life ('perpetual' service) and are kept in subjection.
This establishes the transition from indentured servitude to chattel slavery as the central topic.
2
Recall the historical context of the late seventeenth century in the Chesapeake, specifically relating to labor supply and social stability.
The period saw a decline in English emigration (leading to a smaller supply of servants) and social instability, most notably Bacon's Rebellion in 1676, which was led by disgruntled, landless former indentured servants.
This explains the planter's fear of 'mutiny' and the desire to transition to a more permanent, easily controlled labor force.
3
Evaluate the options to find the development that aligns with the shift from indentured servitude to chattel slavery driven by economic and social factors.
The option stating that a decreasing supply of indentured servants and fears of social unrest drove the shift is the correct explanation.
It directly matches the economic and social motivations detailed in the source.

Key Concept

The transition from indentured servitude to hereditary chattel slavery in the Chesapeake and Southern colonies, driven by economic factors and social unrest.
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Topics

Development of Chattel Slavery

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