Native Americans got killed off by the Black Plague, which caused indentured servants and the indentured servants didn't work out because they left after/before their contract, then it caused an increase in slaves.

Answer 1

It is important to clarify that the causes and consequences of European colonization and the Atlantic slave trade are complex and multifaceted. The statement you made oversimplifies some historical events.

1. Impact of the Black Plague: The Black Death (14th century) was a devastating pandemic in Europe that caused the death of millions of people, including Native Americans. However, it did not directly cause the decline of Native American populations as it primarily affected Europeans. Native Americans were, however, exposed to various diseases brought by European explorers and settlers. These diseases, such as smallpox, influenza, and measles, had a significant impact on Native American populations when they later came into contact with Europeans.

2. Indentured Servitude: Indentured servants were individuals who voluntarily entered into a contract (indenture) to work for a particular period in exchange for passage to the New World or other benefits. While some Native Americans and Europeans did become indentured servants, it was not the primary labor system in the early colonial period.

3. Native American Populations: The Native American population decline primarily resulted from various factors, including the introduction of diseases, warfare, displacement, forced labor, and loss of land and resources. These factors significantly impacted Native American communities throughout the colonization period.

4. Increase in Slavery: Slavery in the Americas was a result of the European colonization and the establishment of the transatlantic slave trade. Slavery existed in the Americas before the Black Plague, but it intensified as labor demands increased and Native American populations declined or resisted enslavement. The use of African slaves significantly expanded due to their perceived immunity to diseases and the availability of a transatlantic slave trade network.

In summary, the decline of Native American populations cannot be attributed solely to the Black Plague. It was a combination of various factors, including disease, warfare, and displacement. Similarly, the increase in slaves was not directly caused by indentured servants leaving, but rather by the expansion of plantation economies and the rise of the transatlantic slave trade.