Final answer:
The Virginia elite used race to maintain a permanent labor force and avoid rebellions among lower class whites by implementing legal distinctions between people of European and African ancestry and associating slavery with African ancestry.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Virginia elite used race to avoid future rebellions and discontent among the lower class whites by implementing legal distinctions between people of European and African ancestry, extending privileges to Whites and creating a perception of Africans as inferior and fit only for manual labor.
This was done to maintain a permanent labor force, as attempts to coerce European servants were met with resistance.
The creation of racial divisions and the association of slavery with African ancestry helped solidify the colonial labor system.