LABOR - THE ROLE OF THE SLAVES

     In the beginning, most of the slaves brought over to America were indentured servants.  Indentured servitude of made of three classes.  The first class was made up willing participants who came over to escape the poverty of their homelands.  The second class was made up of unwilling participants who were typically kidnapped from their homelands.  The third and final class was convicted criminals sent to the Americas to serve out their sentences.  In most instances indentured servitude lasted for a period of seven years after which point they were able to purchase their freedom.  As the colonies began to grow and flourish the second class, servants kidnapped from their homeland, became more prominent.  This was the beginnings of slavery, one of the darkest periods in American history.   Most were unskilled agriculture field hands and domestic servants.  They were responsible for building homes and cultivating fields.  Males were brought over first due to their strength and used for heavy labor such as plowing.  Women were initially brought over as company for the male slave force, but were later viewed as a valuable asset for her domestic skills and lighter field labor such as hoeing and picking.  The female slave eventually added value for her master due to her breeding potential.  (Edith W.)
         The slaves had very little freedom, were abused, and performed back-breaking labor day after day.  Maybe the only thing that gave them hope and strength to get through each day was their religion. (Next section:  Religion)