Indebted servants began arriving in North America in the early 1600s. They were often lured by promises of land, freedom, and a better life. In reality, indentured servitude was often a harsh and brutal experience. Indentured servants worked long hours in dangerous conditions and were often beaten and mistreated.
Despite the hardships, many indentured servants eventually gained their freedom and went on to become successful citizens of the New World.
Here is a more detailed look at how indentured servants arrived in the New World:
* Indenture contracts: Indentured servants signed contracts with ship captains or other agents that agreed to pay for their passage to the New World in return for a set period of service, usually four to seven years.
* Voyage to the New World: The journey to the New World was long and dangerous. Ships were often overcrowded and unsanitary, and many passengers died from disease or malnutrition.
* Arrival in the New World: Once they arrived in the New World, indentured servants were sold to planters or other employers who needed workers.
* Life as an indentured servant: Indentured servants worked long hours in the fields, forests, or mines. They were often poorly fed and housed, and they were often beaten and mistreated.
* Freedom: After their period of service was up, indentured servants were granted their freedom. They were given a small amount of money and a few basic tools, and they were expected to find their own way in the world.
Indentured servitude was a significant part of the early history of the United States. It helped to build the economy of the New World, and it also helped to shape the nation's social and cultural landscape.