Why were indentured servants necessary in the 1600s? Where did indentured servants come from? How did the headright system benefit both planters and colonial leaders? What were the benefits of becoming an indentured servant? What was life like for indentured servants? What happened to indentured servants who were freed in the early 1600s? How did this change as the century progressed? How did Bacon's Rebellion impact planters' employment practices?

The idea of indentured servitude appeared as a need for cheap labor. The Virginia Company introduced the indentured servitude system to attract workers, which became important for the colonial economy. Often the poor Europeans emigrated to the American colonies by signing an indentured servitude contract. The head-right system has allowed colonial leaders to colonize new colonies with planters and cheap labor, making profits. Farmers on the plantations saw the opportunity to get free land and also import labor.

An indentured servant was obliged to sign a contract or a forced contract and thus operate a specific time for the employer. Mostly they worked four to seven years in exchange for passage, accommodation, food, clothing. Although their life was restrictive and sharp, he was not slavish. Subordinate employees were men and women who committed to work for the employer, so that after the expiration of the contract they became free or could seek a new employer.

After the expiration of the contract, they would gain freedom as well as a certain land area. Some of the servants have become part of the colonial elite.

During the 1600's, there was an increase in the number of indentured servants who were free, requiring a part of the land, receiving land, and reducing the number of available labor, which had a negative impact on the colonial economy. Many landowners therefore turned to the slave system as a source of labor.

The Bacon Rebellion has brought many changes in the colonial system. It has brought equality between races and is the result of coexistence between races and different economic classes. The tax is reduced, and the freemen are restored their rights.

Plantation owners needed large amounts of manual labor to grow tobacco, rice, and indigo.

They had their passage paid for to America from their origin countries.

Landowners were rewarded with additional land for bringing more laborers to work their land. This enabled them to plant more crops, which made colonial leaders more money.

You were promised room and board while you worked for your master. You were given passage to the New World and promised land when your period of service was over.

Life was very hard. Only about 40 percent of servants lived to the end of their contract. Female servants were often mistreated and punished for pregnancy. Travel to the New World was hard and dangerous.

Early servants were able to get land but as the century progressed, most of the good land was taken by plantation owners. Freed servants were left to settle farther west in the mountains and unsettled territory.

After Bacon's Rebellions, planters were less inclined to hire indentured servants and instead began hiring slaves.