AboutMichael Troy Expertise I can answer just about any question on early American History. My specialties are the American Revolution through the Civil War/Reconstruction. I also have greater expertise in matters relating to military, political or legal history.
Experience I have lectured at George Washington University regarding the Civil War, as well as several elementary school Civil War demonstrations. I was also a member of a Civil War reenactment group for about 10 years.
Education/Credentials J.D. University of Michigan
B.A. George Washington University
Expert: Michael Troy Date: 6/3/2008 Subject: AMERICAN HISTORY
Question WHY COLONIST IN THE SOUTH DEVELOPED LARGE PLANTATIONS(RATHER THAN FAMILY FARMS) AS THE BASIS FOR ESTABLISHING A SOCIETY.
*WHY PLANTATION OWNERS FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN LABOR.
* WHY NATIVE LABOR PROVED TO BE INADEQUATE FOR PLANTATION OWNERS.
* THE INITIAL STATUS OF AFRICANS WHO WORKED ON PLANTATIONS
Answer Hi Maria,
The main reason was that many of those who settled in the south were the children of Aristocrats. They had large farms in Europe and wanted large estates in the colonies. They were not interested in subsistence farming but in larger money making plantations.
Most poorer laborers who came to the New World were not interested in laboring on someone else's land forever. They wanted their own farms if at all possible. Labor on large plantations was hard, and the pay had to be very low. As a result, landowners needed forced labor. They tried to force natives, but they found it too easy to run away and go back to friendly tribes. That is why they turned to Africans.
Initially, many Africans came on the same terms as white indentured servants. They would work for a certain number of years, then be free to do what they wanted.
