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how did this transformation from a “society with slaves” in the early 1600s to a “slave society” dependent on slave labor happen?

User Tucaz
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Final answer:

The transformation from a 'society with slaves' to a 'slave society' dependent on slave labor happened due to economic factors, racial ideologies, and legal systems.


Step-by-step explanation:

In the early 1600s, society in some regions had slaves, but it wasn't until later that slave labor became the foundation of a 'slave society.' This transformation occurred due to several factors:

  • Economic factors: The growth of the plantation economy in the Americas, particularly in the southern colonies, created a demand for labor-intensive crops like tobacco, rice, and later cotton. Slavery provided a cheap and abundant labor force to meet this demand.
  • Racial ideologies: As the institution of slavery became more entrenched, racial ideologies emerged that justified the enslavement of Africans and their descendants based on notions of racial inferiority.
  • Legal systems: The development of legal systems and codes, like the slave codes, helped solidify and regulate the institution of slavery, making it a central feature of society.

Over time, these factors converged to create a society in which slave labor was not just present, but essential to the economic, social, and political fabric of the region, resulting in a 'slave society' dependent on slave labor.


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