How did economic, geographic, and social factors encourage the growth of slavery as an important part of the economy of the Southern colonies between 1607-1775?

Essay by satellite8100High School, 11th gradeA-, January 2004

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The growth of slavery became intertwined in the life of the southern colonies in the 17th century and early and mid 18th century. Slavery slowly evolved from numerous factors. Such factors that lead to the mixing of slavery and the southern colonies' life were social classes, geographical location and economic problems. The paramount example is Jamestown, Virginia, the first successful English colony.

During the development of Jamestown, there was the unintentional creation of social classes. The higher classes were people who had land and money. These were the people who brought indentured servants to the New World to work on the wealthy plantations. The indentured servants would serve out their terms and be free. The majority that became free did not have as much as their previous masters. This brought about the lower class of people, the people who did not have land or money. The next lower class would be the Indians and African slaves. They were separated mainly because of their skin color. They were made as slaves and were forced to work on the plantations. The Bacon's Rebellion in 1676, the indentured servants' uprising, lead to the idea of the use of indentured servants dramatically dropped because the indentured servants held a threat to the peace and tranquility of the colony. The idea of slaves emerged as the primary labor force. Slaves were easily identifiable and were able to control through physical intimidation. It was because of Bacon's Rebellion would massive number of slaves from Africa being to be imported. The majority of laborers on the plantations were African slaves. The plantation owners relied on the African slaves to work their plantations. Their plantations' labor was needed because of the geographical location.

The geographical location of the south made the use of slaves ideal.