The Southern colonies depended on indentured servants and African slaves to work the large plantations that produced cash crops such as tobacco, rice, and indigo. The climate in the Southern colonies was well-suited for these crops, and the large plantations required a lot of labor. Indentured servants were typically young men and women who agreed to work for a period of time, usually four to seven years, in exchange for their passage to America. After their term of service was up, they were free to go wherever they wanted. African slaves were brought to America against their will and were forced to work as slaves for the rest of their lives.
Crops grown in the Southern colonies:
* Tobacco
* Rice
* Indigo
* Cotton
* Sugar cane