Racial Slavery: The Indentured Servitude System

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The idea of slavery is naturally associated with race and people automatically categorize masters and their slaves as either white or black. Though slavery existed hundreds of years ago, slaves never belonged to or corresponded with a particular race or culture. Before slavery in America turned into racial servitude, land and property owners used indentured slaves to meet their economic needs. The reason that the indentured servitude system was ineffective was because of its temporary nature. The colonial elite wanted a permanent solution to slavery. Many landowners also felt threatened by newly freed servants because of their demand for land. The colonial elite realized the problems of indentured servitude and decided to find an alternative method to the …show more content…
The establishment of racial slavery was highly effective because, unlike indentured servitude, the slaves are permanent and are unable to escape the system. Racial slavery ensured land owners, property owners, and the colonial elite the continuation of the system for decades due to its cyclical manner. Slavery is a hereditary series, therefore, transmits from parent to offspring, causing the preservation of slavery from one generation to the next. The unchangeable characteristic of a slave (skin color) dictated their fate. Skin color made it nearly unfeasible for slaves to escape the merciless system of slavery; In contrast, to the indentured servants, it was not easy for blacks to blend in with the white population. It also made it easier to spot runaway slaves because of their difference in color.

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