March 13, 2013

[5thRHIANA]

Rhiana Chickering
Brittany Leinen
Would you rather be an indentured servant or slave?

An indentured servant was someone who worked until their debt was paid off. They became a servant because they would have someone pay for their way across the Atlantic. During their time as an indentured servant, they weren’t paid wages. They were given food, clothing, and trained. There would be a document stating how many years you would have to work off your debt. Not all went willingly some were known as “white slaves” because they were kidnapped and sent over. After they paid off their debt they were free.

Men, women and children were kidnapped from Africa and forced to become slaves. A slave was treated as property and are to be bought and sold. They were forced to work against their will. They were forced to work from the time of their capture. Slaves were not free unless they passed away or their slave holder frees them. Slaves were treated harshly, the overseers would whip the slaves if they weren’t doing their job. Some slaves were executed or raped.

We would rather be an indentured servant instead of a slave. An indentured servant would only have to work as an indentured slave until his or her debt is payed off. However, a slave would have to be a slave their whole life, unless the slave holder lets them free. Therefore, we would rather be an indentured servant. We would rather work off our debt than be tortured against our will. In our opinion, slaves were treated more harsh than indentured servants were treated.