What is the difference between indentured servitude and slavery?

Question

In regards to History this is...

Answer 1

Another historian would like to add to Mr. Curious's answer:

Indentured servitude came about in three ways: first, one could consent to a term of indentured servitude to pay a debt; second, a judge could sentence a petty criminal to "transportation" in lieu of a prison term, or third, a judge could impose "transportation" on a debtor. Indentured servants actually had to be paid upon the completion of their term, although most never completed their terms. Indentured servants usually received a small amount of cash, some tools and a certificate that entitled them to a land claim, but most sold those claims and returned to Britain. Less than 50% decided to stay in the new world. During the 17C, slavery and indentured servants existed side by side, and because planters had a greater financial investment in their slaves rather than their indentured servants, slaves tended to be treated better.

Although indentured servants were replaced in favor of slaves mostly by the 18C, indentured servitude did continue in the US until it was outlawed by the Constitution. Slavery, as we understand it, developed throughout the 17C through a series of legal cases that decided that slavery was lifelong and inherited.

Obviously, the most important distinction is that while indentured servants led some rebellions, it was slavery that sparked one of the most defining moments of our history, the Civil War.

For more information, read TH Breen's "Tobacco Culture" and Richard Hofstaedter's "America at 1750." Neither book is very long and both are a good read.

Answer 2

Well, indentured servitude is a form of slavery. Your question is like asking what is the difference between a dog and a poodle. A better question is what makes indentured servitude a different form of slavery.

For that question, I give this answer. Indentured servitude is different because it involves the initial consent of the servent/slave. It is used to pay back a debt. The person agrees to become a slave to whom they owe the debt to. A length of time is agreed upon and the debt is paid as time worked. Sometimes this arrangement worked out for both parties. Sometimes it did not. Many forms of indentured servitude had the servent owing more and more debt as time went on. That person would never pay back the debt and would be a slave till they died. Sometimes the debt is passed on to the children and they become slaves to the debt.

Answer 3

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What is the difference between indentured servitude and slavery?
In regards to History this is...

Answer 4

indentured servitude was a contractual agreement between a wealthy individual who, in exchange for your passage to the New World, would take the person in who would then work for a period of years to pay back the passage fees to the benefactor. Many people took advantage of the opportunity to come to the New World by agreeing to a period of servitude to pay for passage away from desperate circumstances in the Old World such as poverty, starvation and lack of opportunity. Those who completed their time were often able to proceed into their own lives, jobs and families upon completion of the agreement. Although not all relationships between the indentured servant and the householder worked out well, most did. Sometimes, servants ran away and because they were not 'owned' and because they looked like the general population (most indentured servants were from England and Ireland), they could escape to freedom. Slaves were captured against their will, forced into service with pain and punishment as the impetus for their work and they were not paid for their labor. Slaves, if they escaped from their masters, were forced to return since they were considered property and not people. They also didn't have the freedom to move about in society unless given permission and they would serve until they either died, were sold, were killed or were granted freedom by their masters, in which case they had to keep their papers declaring their freedom on their persons at all times. Slaves were generally from Africa, and from other indiginous populations like American Indians, South American or Carribean peoples, etc. generally dark skinned and therefore easily traceable as runaways.

Answer 5

an indenture was a contract between worker and employer, ususallly for a term of seven years. Upon completion of the term, the employer owed the servant compensation, usually in the form of tools and land.

Slavery, especially in English America, was a permanent lifetime arrangement that passed the condition on to th eslaves children.

Answer 6

Now an answer from a historian:

1. Indentured servants entered into their labor contract willingly. They agreed with their master to come to America and to work for between 5-7 years in exchange for their passage being paid for to America. After their term of labor was completed, by LAW, they were free to leave. Some agreed to remain and work for their previous master for wages but many left with a few tools, seed, and sometimes a horse or mule provided by their previous master. The I.S. system of labor soon ended after 1676 when Nathaniel Bacon led a group of disgruntled former I.S. in a famous rebellion in Virginia. The problem with I.S. was that after their term was completed they were often jobless, moneyless, and angry. Therefore they posed a constant threat to the safety of property holders in the area.

2. Slaves came to America under duress. They were either sold by their own rival tribesmen in Africa or kidnapped by white slave hunters. When they arrived in America they had NO political rights. Their marriages were not legally recognized, they could not legally own property, they could not vote, not sue, not sit on juries, not attend public schools, and were the property of their masters. They were slaves until death (as were their children who were BORN into slavery.) The only release was manumission by their master or their own death.

Answer 7

difference between temporary and permanent.

Answer 8

again....you really should be doing your own homework.....you'll never learn if i was to answer this question for you

Answer 9

I would say chains.