Overview
The lecture discusses the rise of tobacco plantations in 17th-century Virginia, the use of indentured servitude for labor, and the shift towards African slavery.
Virginia Tobacco Economy
- By the 17th century, Virginia's tobacco plantations were thriving and required more laborers.
- The colony faced issues like food shortages, disease, and conflicts with Native Americans, deterring new settlers.
Indentured Servitude
- Plantation owners paid for workers' passage in exchange for 4-7 years of labor (indentured servitude).
- Indentured servants could be bought, sold, could not marry without permission, and faced harsh discipline.
- Servants who survived their term could be freed and sometimes received "freedom dues" (land or money).
- Only landowners had the right to vote or serve in local government.
- Most servants came hoping to own land after their service, but few actually achieved this.
Labor Shortage and Shift to Slavery
- Nearly two-thirds of English settlers in the 17th century arrived as indentured servants.
- Harsh conditions led to illness, injury, and early death, discouraging future English migration.
- Plantation owners began turning to Africa for labor due to the decline in available English workers.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Indentured Servitude — A system where individuals worked for a set number of years in exchange for passage to America.
- Freedom Dues — Payment (land or money) given to indentured servants upon completion of their term.
- Landowner — Someone who owns land and has political rights such as voting or holding office.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the systems of labor in colonial America, focusing on indentured servitude and the transition to slavery.