The desire for a better new life motivated Europeans to risk their lives and go to the “New World”. Hardships in Britain such as the poor being forced off their lands from the legal process of enclosure forced the lower and middle class to flood to the cities. When they reached the cities, there was diminutive opportunity for a decent livelihood. The extreme hardships in Britain motivated the middle and lower class citizens to risk their lives and make the journey to the “New World” in hopes for a better life. Astonishingly most of those who decided to make the journey knew the odds of survival were not in their favor. After crossing the violent Atlantic ocean and reaching the New World they were faced with starvation, hostile Native Americans, disease and excruciating labor demands.
Meanwhile in the New World, the colonies were expanding and the labor demand versus supply was unmatched. The threat of the Native Americans, foreign colonies, and agricultural dependencies required a vast expendable human resource. Laborers and tradesman of all sorts were in high demand in the colonial times. Therefor the labor supply was in part fulfilled by voluntary indentured …show more content…
The voluntary servants were treated better than the involuntary servants, who often consisted of prisoners of war and criminals. Initially the servants came to the New World voluntarily, however, as the demand for labor increased, involuntary servants were sent overseas. There were issues with servants running away from their masters that resulted in harsh punishments. Some of the punishments were the cutting of an Achilles tendon, branding with an “R” and an extension of their servitude. The numbers of servants continued to rise in the early colonies. As the numbers continued to rise, the power and wealth of the white population grew while the ethical treatment of servants continued to
Meanwhile in the New World, the colonies were expanding and the labor demand versus supply was unmatched. The threat of the Native Americans, foreign colonies, and agricultural dependencies required a vast expendable human resource. Laborers and tradesman of all sorts were in high demand in the colonial times. Therefor the labor supply was in part fulfilled by voluntary indentured …show more content…
The voluntary servants were treated better than the involuntary servants, who often consisted of prisoners of war and criminals. Initially the servants came to the New World voluntarily, however, as the demand for labor increased, involuntary servants were sent overseas. There were issues with servants running away from their masters that resulted in harsh punishments. Some of the punishments were the cutting of an Achilles tendon, branding with an “R” and an extension of their servitude. The numbers of servants continued to rise in the early colonies. As the numbers continued to rise, the power and wealth of the white population grew while the ethical treatment of servants continued to