To Be a Slave Study Guide

Colonists first tried to have Indians work to help with the settlements. Their susceptibility to disease eliminated them as slaves. Then the English tried to recruit the poor whites, prisoners, and debtors from England and Ireland to work as indentured servants for 7 years and then release them. This created a constant demand for slaves. Because these slaves were white, they could easily run away, change their names, and gain their freedom. Eventually, the English colonists realized the Africans with their black skin were helpful to them since they could not easily escape and blend in elsewhere. The other great advantages were that the white men could buy the Africans "for life" and the supply was as great as the need. An estimated 50 million Africans were sold into the slave trade. (read more)