jan 1, 1607 - Indentured servants

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System developed by the Virginia Company to attract workers. 75 to 80% of the 130,000 migrants were indentured servants. They tipycally worked 4 to 7 years in exchange for passage, room, board, lodging and freedom dues. Harsh and restrictive life but not slavery. Idea born of a need for cheap labor (lots of land to care for but no one to care for it). This system became vital to the colonial economy.

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