Dbq Slavery

Unit 1 Essays #13. Rank the items in the following list, starting with the one that you think had the most important consequences. Then justify your ranking. Finally, speculate as to what might have happened had these events not occurred. A. The cultivation of tobacco in Virginia B. The introduction of slavery into the plantation colonies C. The “enclosing” of croplands in England

I believe the introduction of slavery into the plantation colonies, had more consequences than that of the cultivation of tobacco in Virginia, and the “enclosing” of croplands in England. It is hard to compare the three events and rank it from most consequences to least, because each event had its significance and played an important role
Because of the introduction of slavery, the Virginia House of Burgesses set laws discriminating blacks. Africans and their children were to be treated as slaves for the rest of their lives. White laborers were allowed to be set free after a certain period of working. By 1650, there were about 400 Africans laborers in Virginia. In 1661, Virginia set up a legislation stating that children inherit their mother’s slave status for life. In 1664, Maryland declared that the baptism of a slave did not affect their slave status. By 1750, two thirds of South Carolina and half of Virginia’s population were
By John Rolfe establishing the tobacco industry, many lives were saved and the economy shot up like a rocket. The settlers of Jamestown were facing Indian attacks, diseases, and famine. Many men refused to work and the settlers were on the verge to starvation, Tobacco saved Jamestown in many ways. It brought financial prosperity and resulted into the broad-acre system plantation. Tobacco plantations demanded labor. They tried to attract immigrants through the Headright System and by hiring indentured servants. Through the Triangular Trade, Africans were bought as slaves and forced to work on Tobacco and other plantations. In the 17th century, mercantilism was set up and tobacco was the original “enumerated” product bought over many years. Virginia Company made unwise decisions about tobacco, causing Virginia to become England’s first royal colony. Eventually, tobacco prices fell causing rice and indigo too became more