Slavery in the Americas

Slavery in the Americas was a growing industry. When settlers came to America and started using and obtaining slaves, slavery was not as prosperous, but it eventually became an economic miracle for the plantations and cash crops of North America. Slavery grew considerably from its origins and developed largely in Britain's North American colonies from 1607 right up to the United State of America's independence (1776). It was a vast industry, and useful to the young and rebelling America's economy.

As settlements and colonies were starting in America, African slaves and indentured servants were not used. The settlers first used their own resources, the Native Americans. Native American's were a resisting people, and considered very violent, and they were dying out from the new diseases or the old world. Even though Indian slavery was difficult, it contributed to the origins of slavery and expansion of slavery. Unluckily for the colonies, Indian slavery was used to the point of more than half of their population was reduced due to disease and harsh masters. Indentured servitude was brought up and used. Poor people seeing no opportunities in the Old World, and did not have the money to sail to the New World, would serve masters as indentured servants. These indentured servants were serve for several years until their debt to their master was paid off, then they were promised a free set of land, and some farm equipment to start their new lives in America. This also contributed to America's growth and origins. Indentured servitude brought more settlers into the New World, and the economy was rising. These indentured servants, however, did not get what they were promised, and were often without land, no money and food, and were rebellious people to the former owners. Then, plantation owners finally turned to the black Africans. Africans were being traded for rum in Africa, and then were shipped to the Caribbean and Sugar Islands. North America saw this advantage to slavery, and in 1619 the first Africans arrived in Jamestown. Cash crops were booming and people saw the advantages of African slavery compared to indentured servitude. These slaves were used for cash crops like tobacco, rice and sugar, and the colonies and economy of Great Britain and its colonies prospered. Due to the English's belief in racial superiority, African slavery was here to stay, until North America became a country and the thirteenth amendment was passed.