Slavery in Colonial America

Question 1

What started in the British West Indies to provide labor in the sugar fields?

Answer 1

Transatlantic slave trade

Question 2

What do all the following have in common?
• Large amount of land available in the Southern colonies
• Rich soil
• Almost year-round growing season
• Ideal for plantation crops (tobacco, rice, indigo, cotton) with enough labor these could be grown as cash crops

Answer 2

Plantation System

Question 3

What caused the spread of slavery?

Answer 3

• Demand for rice, indigo, and cotton led to plantation owners needing more enslaved people