Final answer:
The labor used in the American colonies was primarily indentured servitude and slavery. Indentured servants worked for a fixed period of time in exchange for transportation and necessities, while slavery involved forced labor of African individuals. Both types of labor were crucial for the colony's economic development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The system of labor used in the American colonies was primarily indentured servitude and slavery. Indentured servitude involved individuals signing a contract to work for a certain period of time, typically four to seven years, in exchange for transportation to the colonies and basic necessities. Slavery, on the other hand, involved the forced labor of African individuals who were considered property and had no rights.
Both indentured servitude and slavery were factors that contributed to the economic development of the colonies. Indentured servants provided the necessary labor for the cultivation of crops such as tobacco. Slavery, particularly in the Southern colonies, was heavily relied upon for the plantation economy, especially for cash crops like rice, tobacco, and indigo.
Overall, the use of labor in the American colonies involved a combination of indentured servitude and slavery, which played significant roles in shaping the economic and social fabric of the colonies.
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