Question

Indentured servants in the Chesapeake could have their servitude extended by years if they:

A) Completed their work early
B) Violated the terms of their indenture
C) Were praised by their masters
D) Joined local militias

Answer 1

B) Violated the terms of their indenture

Step-by-step explanation:

Indentured servants in the Chesapeake region could have their servitude extended if they violated the terms of their indenture. This was a way for masters to exert control and discipline over their servants. If an indentured servant committed an offense or broke the rules specified in the indenture contract, the master could add additional years of service as a form of punishment. This practice was part of the legal and social structure in the American colonies during the colonial period.

Answer 2

Indentured servants in the Chesapeake would have their servitude extended if they B) Violated the terms of their indenture, leading to extended periods of service and harsher conditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Indentured servants in the Chesapeake could have their servitude extended by years if they violated the terms of their indenture. This system of indentured servitude was prevalent in the 17th century, as it provided a solution to the labor demands in the colonies, particularly for the labor-intensive tobacco crop. Indentured servants, during their period of servitude in the Chesapeake, were often treated as property; they could not marry without permission and were subject to the complete authority of their contract holders. If they committed a crime or disobeyed the proprietors of their contracts, they would find their terms of service forcefully extended, often by several years.

Harsh conditions, including malnutrition and disease, contributed to a high mortality rate among indentured servants. Nevertheless, those who managed to survive their term of service often received "freedom dues," which could include land, money, tools, and other necessities to start an independent life. The period of indenture was seen both as an opportunity for a new life in America and an ordeal due to the harsh realities of servitude.