Throughout the seventeenth century, indentured servitude and slavery contributed significantly to the expansion of the colonial economy. Before the Indian and the French war, the American colonies mainly ruled themselves and had a relatively healthy economy. Despite their success in political matters, the colonists urgently needed help with work as there was much effort needed to till the land. Slaves and indentured servants satisfied the need of workers.
The significant contrast between the two is that indentured servitude entailed an agreed term of service in return for a specified reward. The most common reward was the help for settling in America. At the conclusion of the term settlement, the indentured servants regained their freedom. Indentured servants owned land, a job, and they could vote. Slaves, on the other hand, would never regain their freedom. Slaves were the property and could not own land or vote.
Indentured servants chose to serve their masters and did so in return for minimal compensation and a likely reward of land. This followed a specified duration in service. Slaves worked under coercion, and if set free, their masters did owe them any form of compensation. A distinctive feature about slaves is that they did not choose to work. Masters of slaves forced them to work, either indefinitely or for a significantly longer duration. Indentured servants, on the other hand, work voluntarily. Their services often counted as acceptable payment for a debt that they owed their master.
After full payment of the debt, indentured servants had permission to work for an employer of their choice. During the times of Columbus’ “discovery,” traveling to the new world was extremely expensive. The solution to this was, therefore, was working for someone as an indentured servant. Indentured servants mainly worked for five years or so. At the end of their service, the masters would offer them freedom and means to build a new life. The difference between indentured servitude and slavery was, therefore, distinct.