Prior to the English civil war, control over the American colonies had been a bit relaxed, giving Americans hope of total independence (James, 2006). Unfortunately, after the war, control over the colonies was tightened by King Charles II. He feared that rebellions such as the one in England leading to the civil war could also happen in the colonies. In tightening his grip on the colonies, he closely monitored trade between Britain and the colonies. Again he rewarded some loyal aristocrats with land in the colonies in Pennsylvania and Carolina.
In southern Carolina, the aristocrats settled firmly, establishing large sugar plantations in the area. In order to obtain slaves for their farms, they encouraged civil wars among the Native American tribes by giving them weapons. In return, the natives would sell their war captives as slaves to the settlers.
Glorious Revolution of 1688
The revolution is sometimes called the bloodless revolution though the latter name is wrong as there were battles involving the armies of the reigning king then, King James II and the rebels. He was being ousted by a group of parliamentarians led by William of Orange. This war led to the introduction of the parliamentary democracy system of governance in England and the abolition of absolute power by the monarch. This revolution had a heavy impact on the American colonies under English rule. Some of the effects on these colonies were mostly felt through the introduction of a parliamentary system of governance.
The American colonies had the same parliamentary form of governance introduced in their governments. With the coming of the democratic system, the rules governing slavery were relaxed to some extent allowing the Native Americans relatively more freedom to exercise their rights and even vote.
Differences between indentured servants and black slaves
Indentured servants had their transport to America paid for by the forthright, and they were entitled to work for an average of five years to repay their transportation cost (Leila, 2007). After completing the five years, the servants obtained their payment and freedom where they were allowed to own property and develop themselves. On the other hand, black slaves had no chance whatsoever of obtaining their freedom and were not allowed to own property. In fact, black slaves were viewed as properties owned by the settlers (James, 2006).
Indentured servants offered their services voluntarily as opposed to black slaves. This is because the chances of owning property in America for young men was higher than it was in Britain, for example, or any other European country that transported its people to America to work as indentured servants. On the other hand, black slaves were captured from Africa by force or sold by their fellow Africans against their will.
Indentured servants signed contacts regarding the length of their services, while black slaves did not.
Similarities between indentured servants and slaves.
Both were transported from far away places, and they were usually transported by middlemen called fortnights.
Indentured servants, the same as black slaves, could not own property during the period of their service.
Both were exposed to violence and mistreatment by their masters. In the case of the indentured servants, sometimes they were denied their freedom after completion of the agreed period of service.
Factors uniting American in the 18th century
Continued abuse of the Native American people by the white settlers gave them a unifying factor to fight the oppressors. This is because, with the increase in the number of indentured servants, some settlers started discarding their service contracts and denying them freedom. This, combined with a number of other oppressions against the indentured servants, Native Americans, and the black slaves, there was more reason to unite and fight the common enemy.
The developments in England also favored a freer colony. This is because in preaching democracy, the same was expected to be extended to the colonies though a majority of the settlers were against it. Thus the different classes of Americans saw the need for unity in embracing democracy.
References
James, R. American History in the 17th century, New York: McGraw Hill, 2006.
Leila, C. Servitude in American history: 17th -18th century, London, Penguin, 2007.