Question

In certain historical contexts, who was used for cheap labor and forced to adopt European ways?

A) Native Americans
B) European nobility
C) African slaves
D) Asian immigrants

Answer 1

C) African slaves

Step-by-step explanation:

In certain historical contexts, particularly during periods of European colonization and the transatlantic slave trade, African slaves were forcibly taken from their native lands and used for cheap labor. They were often subjected to harsh conditions and compelled to adopt European customs and ways of life imposed by their enslavers. This exploitation was a significant and tragic aspect of history, particularly in the Americas.

Answer 2

African slaves were used for cheap labor in the Americas and were forced to conform to European customs. This was exacerbated by inadequate labor supplies from indigenous peoples and European indentured servants, leading to reliance on the African slave trade. Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Step-by-step explanation:

In certain historical contexts, African slaves were used for cheap labor and were forced to adopt European ways. This practice began in earnest in the sixteenth century when Europeans looked to Africa as a source of labor for their colonies in the Americas.

The labor intensive production of cash crops such as sugar and tobacco for European markets necessitated a workforce that could be exploited. Native Americans were initially enslaved, but due to war, disease, and resistance, their numbers proved insufficient, leading Europeans to turn to the enslavement of Africans. Slave codes were later established, legally codifying the enslavement of non-Christian foreigners, particularly Africans, which set the stage for the Transatlantic Slave Trade. It was structured in such a way that Africans were denied their freedom, subject to horrendous conditions, and stripped of control over their lives.

Even though both Native Americans and European indentured servants were present in the colonies, African slaves were the more prevalent choice for a multitude of reasons. These included beliefs about African's relative immunity to European diseases and the difficulty enslaved Africans would have in escaping due to unfamiliarity with the terrain.