Indentured Servitude In The Atlantic World

Question 1

What does indentured mean?

Answer 1

To bind( someone, such as an apprentice) by or as if by indentures (contract). Contract labour

Question 2

What is the Iberian empires?

Answer 2

Basically Spanish and Portuguese colonies in the Americas

Question 3

Why was there a lack of labour in Iberian America?

Answer 3

Because of wars between indigenous people and conquistadors. Also, diseases that killed the local population

Question 4

How many of 3.5 million total population in Brazil were Europeans 1820?

Answer 4

About 1 million

Question 5

Who were the majority of European migrants in the 1600s?

Answer 5

English and Welsh

Question 6

What kind of unwanted people in british society could be send to the colonies as a servant?

Answer 6

The poor, convicts, homeless, religious deviants etc.

Question 7

Why was indentured servitude developed?

Answer 7

To increase labour migrarion from England to the Americas

Question 8

Did indentured servants and African slaves work side by side on the plantations?

Answer 8

Yes, but it was “easier” for the white to be treated better

Question 9

What would a indentured servant get from their master?

Answer 9

Free food, clothing, shelter and passage to the Americas. Some few might have gotten some limited pagment

Question 10

How long did the contracts (indentures) usually last?

Answer 10

4-7 years

Question 11

What happened when the contract was concluded?

Answer 11

The person is set free. He/she might recieve a small land or some money and or sugar

Question 12

Was the servants protected by the law?

Answer 12

In a way, yes. They could complain to the General Assembly

Question 13

What happened if a servant broke a contract?

Answer 13

They could have their contract extended or worse, they could be sentenced to capital punishment

Question 14

Where the servants allowed to marry?

Answer 14

No

Question 15

When did indentured servitude end?

Answer 15

By 1820

Question 16

Where did most of male servants end up?

Answer 16

Jamaica. Also, many arrived at Barbados in 1650s. Chesapeake was the most important access point to Virginia and the U.S

Question 17

Where did men and women usually end up as indentured servants?

Answer 17

Men = more often the West Indies
Women = more often mainland America

Question 18

Why did registration of servants usually occur close to departure?

Answer 18

Merchants were responsible for maintenance of the servants between registration and departure. The longer the wait, the more likely a servant would rething the decision

Question 19

When was the highest numbers of servants each year in Chesapeake, and why?

Answer 19

Around July until November. That’s because Merchants wanted their ships to pick up seasonal tobacco. Later ships hoped to pick up tobacco cheaper as they where unpacked and unready during high season. Also, planters preferred to have their servants come after the hazardous summer

Question 20

Why did kids become indentured servants?

Answer 20

Parents bad economy, parents sending them away as a punishment or because of them being “bastards” and some were homeless kids

Question 21

Who wrote “White servitude in colonial America” and what’s it about?

Answer 21

David Galenson: it’s about the life of white servants, their rights and places they ended up

Question 22

Who wrote “Indentured migration and the servant trade from London to America, 1618-1718” and what’s it about?

Answer 22

John Wareing: it’s about white servants specifically from London and their life