Indentured Servants and Slavery
By: Michael Kavelish
Introduction
Indenture Contract
Slaves
Ben Franklin
Indentured Servants
Slaves
Slaves were African people who had to go on a ship to the Colonies against their will. Millions of unlucky souls were sent through the Triangular Trade. As soon as they arrived to the Colonies, they were sent right to work on Southern Plantations. The slaves were treated like trash. The punishments from their masters were cruel. The master could make the slave work ALL day without rest, beat them, or KILL them! This was legal! Another reason why is that they were black and they had NO RIGHTS at ALL. This was a reason why they weren't treated like a Colonist. Oh, they weren't Christians as well. Slaves and Slave Labor were more important in the South for Household Help. They weren't much needed in the Middle and New England Colonies.
Slavery was indeed cruel. Very cruel indeed.
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship first starts when a young Colonist wants to learn a trade from a skilled master. The Colonists chooses to learn trades such as Construction, Blacksmithing, Printing, and more! Then, the master sets their hours. Unlike Indentured Servants, they EARNED WAGES set by their masters. Then, when they finished, they became journeymen. This is how the apprentice system worked in the Colonies. Historical figure Ben Franklin was also an apprentice in his younger years. He learned printing from his older brother, James Franklin.
This is how apprentices like Ben Franklin learn skills and trades.
Conclusion
Glossary
journeymen - a worker who works for another person.
wages - an amount of money that a worker based on the number of hours, days, etc., that are worked
Sources
The Slave Trade in America, Cruel Commerce. Worth, Richard
Online Resources: "Not Everyone Was Free" SIRS Discoverer
"Slavery" Brainpop