Final answer:
Europeans used enslaved Africans in the Americas primarily for the cotton and sugar plantations due to their physical strength, unfamiliarity with the land, and lesser chance of escaping. Slavery in the Americas differed significantly from past instances of slavery and other labor systems in the same era, as it was largely based on race and involved extreme violence, exploitation, and dehumanizing conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Europeans used enslaved Africans for labor in the Americas primarily for the cotton and sugar plantations due to several reasons. Firstly, indentured servants were less willing to work in extreme conditions and had the option of gaining their freedom after a certain period. Native Americans were already familiar with the land and could escape easily. Africans, on the other hand, were seen as a better option as they were seen as physically and mentally stronger, had no knowledge of the land, and were less likely to escape.
The system of slavery in the Americas differed fundamentally from past instances of slavery and other systems of labor in the same era. Slavery in the Americas was largely based on race, with Africans being considered as property and inferior to Europeans. The violence, exploitation, and dehumanizing conditions experienced by enslaved Africans were unprecedented and served to assert dominance and control. Keywords: enslaved Africans, labor, Americas, cotton and sugar plantations, indentured servants, Native Americans, violence, exploitation, dehumanizing conditions, race, dominance, control