Explain why enslaving the Indigenous peoples of the Americas was largely unsuccessful in filling the need of the plantations.(1 point)

Question

Responses

European colonizers’ cruelty meant that many people—Indigenous people as well as colonizers—died. As a result, there were not enough people left to enslave.
European colonizers’ cruelty meant that many people—Indigenous people as well as colonizers—died. As a result, there were not enough people left to enslave.

European colonizers were kind to Indigenous peoples. As a result, the colonizers did not want to enslave Indigenous peoples.
European colonizers were kind to Indigenous peoples. As a result, the colonizers did not want to enslave Indigenous peoples.

Slavery did not exist in the Americas at the time of European colonization.
Slavery did not exist in the Americas at the time of European colonization.

European colonizers’ cruelty, as well as the spread of disease, meant that many Indigenous people died. As a result, there were not enough people left for colonizers to enslave.

Answer 1

The most accurate explanation for why enslaving the Indigenous peoples of the Americas was largely unsuccessful in filling the need for labor on plantations is: European colonizers’ cruelty, as well as the spread of disease, meant that many Indigenous people died. As a result, there were not enough people left for colonizers to enslave.

This response captures the impact of both direct violence and the devastating effects of diseases brought by Europeans, which significantly reduced the Indigenous population, making it difficult for colonizers to rely on them for plantation labor.