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 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.

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.

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, ther

Answer 1

The most accurate and complete explanation for why enslaving the Indigenous peoples of the Americas was largely unsuccessful in meeting the labor needs of 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 to enslave.

This response highlights two critical factors: the violent and exploitative treatment of Indigenous peoples by European colonizers, which led to significant resistance and social disruption, as well as the devastating impact of diseases brought by Europeans, such as smallpox, which decimated Indigenous populations. This combination of factors resulted in a severe reduction in the available labor force from Indigenous communities, making it challenging to rely on them for the labor-intensive demands of plantations.