Because they were not used the land, so they could not run away. They also stood out of the crowd because of their skin color. They were used to working and were better at it than others. They were especially better at working in the sun.
Many enslaved individuals did practice religious beliefs and tried to find comfort in their faith during challenging times. Some incorporated aspects of Christianity into their spirituality, while others maintained African spiritual traditions. Religion provided a source of strength, community, and hope for many slaves.
Plantation owners preferred slaves over indentured servants because slaves were seen as a long-term and inheritable source of labor, providing more stability and control over their workforce. Additionally, slaves did not have the legal protections and rights that indentured servants possessed, making them easier to exploit and control. Finally, the racial hierarchy and beliefs of the time perpetuated the notion that Africans and their descendants were inferior and thus suitable for enslavement.
Plantation owners preferred slaves over indentured servants because slaves were seen as a lifelong source of labor, whereas indentured servants typically worked for a set period before gaining their freedom. Slaves were also considered property that could be bought and sold, providing plantation owners with a greater sense of control and power. Additionally, the racial hierarchy of the time made slaves a more socially acceptable form of labor exploitation.
Portuguese and Europeans wanted slaves to work in their colonies, primarily in the Americas, because they needed labor for crops like sugar, tobacco, and cotton. Slaves were seen as a cheap and plentiful source of labor that could be exploited for economic gain. Additionally, the transatlantic slave trade became a profitable industry for European slave traders.
Plantation owners preferred slaves over indentured servants because slaves were considered property, providing a long-term source of labor with no freedom or rights. Slaves could be inherited and their children born into slavery, ensuring a continuous workforce. In contrast, indentured servants had limited terms of service and some legal protections, making them less profitable and reliable for plantation owners.
Competing African tribes were the main source of slaves.
The Spanish began using African slaves on their plantations due to a shortage of indigenous laborers caused by disease, exploitation, and resistance. African slaves were seen as a more available and cost-effective labor source for colonial agriculture.
African slaves were the cheapest available labor source to cultivate and produce sugar for the European market.
Colonies replaced servants with African slaves because slaves were seen as a more cost-effective labor force due to their lifelong servitude and the ability to exploit them for agricultural work. Additionally, African slaves were readily available due to the transatlantic slave trade, making them a convenient source of labor for European colonies in the Americas.
The demand for labor in colonial economies, the decline of indentured servitude, and the belief in racial superiority contributed to colonists' decision to use African slaves. Africans were seen as a more cost-effective and easily controlled source of labor compared to European indentured servants.
Planters in the Americas started using African slaves primarily due to the labor-intensive nature of cultivating crops like sugar, tobacco, and cotton. African slaves were seen as a readily available source of cheap labor, and their prior experience in agriculture made them well-suited for the demanding work required on plantations. Economic factors and the perceived racial hierarchy of the time also played a role in justifying the use of African slaves for labor.
Estimates on the number of former Black slaves, African Americans, vary on this issue. One reliable source places the number of slaves leaving North America with the British at 3,000.
coastal West Africa
The colony with few slaves but many indentured servants was Virginia. In the early days of the colony, before the widespread use of African slaves, indentured servants from England were a significant source of labor.
African slaves took the place of indentured servants in the Americas because they were seen as a cheaper and more abundant labor source. The demand for labor in industries like agriculture and mining exceeded the available supply of indentured servants, so African slaves were brought over to meet this need.
The Native American population they had been using for slave labor died off in large numbers due to European diseases.
Plantation owners preferred African slaves over indentured servants because slaves were seen as a more permanent and cost-effective labor source. Slaves were considered property for life, providing long-term labor stability, while indentured servants worked for a defined period before gaining freedom. Additionally, racial prejudices and laws made it easier to control and subjugate African slaves compared to European indentured servants.