Slavery+R

Why did slavery grow to be such an important institution in colonial America, and how did it divide the Northern and Southern colonies? Slavery grew to be such an important institution in colonial America based upon the economic principals and workload of the different regions of colonial America. For most settlers in colonial southern America, plantations dominated the landscape and the economy. In the beginning southern colonies economies were based upon the growth and development of crops, mainly tobacco, rice, and indigo. Since having more land equaled more availability to grow more crops which in turn meant more profit. Families alone couldn't accommodate the complete workload of maintaining and growing the crops so slavery was instituted. Slavery seemed like a win-win...you pay a one time fee for a lifetime worker. In turn with that one time fee, you never have to pay them for anything and the only thing that is necessary to keep them at full strength would be food and shelter. Not a bad trade for a plantation owner trying to make a living. Slavery was first attempted with Native Americans but found out that most Indians weren't able to stay healthy enough to work based on not being immune to any white man's diseases. After Indians were discarded from the potential field of candidates, plantation owners turned toward Africa. Slaves were brought over from Western Africa and sold at slave markets. There were many differences between Indians and African Americans most notably in stamina, immunity to disease, and physical make-up. African Americans were low-maintenance and good workers. Differences occurred in views of slavery in the north and south that would later on lead to conflict. In the north, slavery wasn't essential because of plantations weren't as abundant in the north as in the south. The soil would not allow farming of tobacco and other crops for the simple reason that the soil wasn't ideal for that type of farming. The north was more concerned with maintaining their infrastructure in their industries in which they excelled in which included: fishing, some types of farming, and merchant type businesses. If the north needed extra help in their businesses, they usually went the indentured servant route. For those reasons, the gap between the north and south grew based upon the basic views and ideals on slavery and its economic influence on each specific region.