Why did colonial masters first adopt the institution of indentured servitude rather than Indian or black.. ?

Question

slavery to meet their demands for labor? Why, then, did black slavery replace indentured servitude?

Answer 1

Indentured servants were known and used throughout England. Indentured servants accompanied the English settlers when they came to America. After that, the english settlers did enslave the Native Americans, as had the Spanish before them.

Slavery replaced indentured servitude because it was not bound by a set term, there was no contract, slavery was until death...of either slave or master. Slavery even lasted after the death of an owner...he could, and quite often did, leave his slaves as part of his property in his will. Indentured servants were caucasian...they were of the same people as the settlers, and were freed, with a small amount of money, after the term of their contract was completed.  Africans were thought to be less than human, and therefor could be "owned".

Answer 2

Black slavery did NOT replace indentured servitude outright.  Indentured servitude was still commonplace even in the late eras of the institution.  There are several written accounts by black slaves in which they describe working in the fields along side white indentured servants.  Granted it became less common but it did not simply vanish.

Answer 3

Indentured servitude meant that at some point, the servant could earn or buy his freedom. It was a long-established custom in England. But once the colonials discovered they could buy slaves, and never have to worry about the slaves earning or buying their freedom, it was economically advantageous to go with slavery. It was morally indefensible, of course, but economics frequently win out over morals.