Colonial America: Tobacco Economy, Slavery, and Early Settlement

What economic issue arose from the large production of tobacco in the colonies?

An oversupply of tobacco led to a surplus of unemployed workers.

What was the headright system?

A system that granted land to anyone who paid for the passage of indentured servants to the colonies, benefiting the farmers.

How did the headright system benefit farmers?

Farmers received land for bringing indentured servants to the colonies, which increased their wealth and labor force.

What were indentured servants?

Individuals who worked for a set number of years in exchange for passage to the colonies, food, and shelter.

What significant change occurred in the labor force by the mid-1680s?

The number of African slaves began to increase significantly, outnumbering indentured servants.

What were slave codes?

Laws that created sharp distinctions between indentured servants and slaves, often based on race.

What was the impact of slave codes on education for slaves?

It became a crime to teach slaves to read and write.

What was the difference in the lives of slaves on rice plantations versus tobacco plantations?

Rice plantations in South Carolina were more brutal and led to many deaths, while tobacco plantations in the Chesapeake were less physically demanding.

How did the slave population grow in the colonies?

The slave population grew not only through imports but also through natural reproduction.

What was Bacon's Rebellion?

A revolt led by Nathaniel Bacon in 1676 against the Virginia governor due to frustrations over lack of land and representation.

What were the main grievances of the freedmen during Bacon's Rebellion?

They were impoverished, jobless, and frustrated with their inability to obtain land.

What was the outcome of Bacon's Rebellion?

The rebellion led to chaos in Virginia, with Bacon and his followers attacking both hostile and friendly Indians.

What was the primary crop that drove the economy in the Chesapeake colonies?

Tobacco.

How did the demand for tobacco affect land use in the colonies?

Farmers exhausted fertile land quickly, leading them to encroach further into Indian territories.

What was the role of women in the early Chesapeake colonies?

Women allowed for the formation of families and contributed to the growth of the population.

What was the significance of the year 1662 in Virginia?

It marked the start of formal laws that distinguished between indentured servants and slaves based on race.

What was the health impact of slavery in the deep South?

Slave life was harsh and draining, leading to poor health and high mortality rates.

What was the demographic trend in Virginia by the early 18th century?

Virginia became the most populated colony due to the increasing number of families and the growth of the tobacco economy.

What was the primary reason for the importation of African slaves to the Americas?

To meet the labor demands of the growing tobacco economy.