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Example research essay topic: Food And Water Indentured Servants - 891 words

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For the indentured servants and slaves their time in America was a grueling struggle. They had to cope with the problems that presented itself through the voyage to America, and a life of misery. Their stories though are very similar in that they didnt have enough food and clothing and were extremely unhappy with their lifestyles. The trip to America was the biggest similarity shared by the indentured servants and slaves. From the writings expressed in America Through The Eyes of Its People the authors explain the true struggle of the voyage. On the voyages the people lived through hunger, lack of fresh air and water, withdrawal of efficient space for living, sicknesses, an awful stench, and even deaths of loved ones.

Gottlieb Mittelberger illustrates these conditions in his writings of the passage. But during the voyage there is on board these ships terrible misery, stench, fumes, horror, vomiting, many kinds of sea-sickness, fever, dysentery, headache, heat, constipation, boils, scurvy, cancer, mouth rot, and the like, all of which come from old and sharply salted food and meat, also from very bad and foul water, so that many die miserably. (Mittelberger p. 31) The ultimate of these struggles was the lack of food and water. On these ships water was scarce and rations were even less of a commodity. When food and water was served to the people it was so unclean that many did not accept them. The food was often rotten and old, while the water was black and full of worms.

This lack of proper nutrition led to many deaths. The living quarters on these ships were extremely inhumane. Over six hundred servants and slaves were packed into the same living quarters through the duration of the trip. For many indentured servants they had to live in spaces two feet in width and six in length. As a result of feces, vomiting, and the heat these quarters had such a strong stench that fresh air was sometimes lacking.

For the slaves though these living conditions were worse in that they were all chained together. Equiano expresses the struggle of this, I saw a multitude of black people of every description chained together, every one of their countenances expressing dejection and sorrow. (Equiano pg. 35) The greatest difference between the slaves and indentured servants on these passages was the harsh treatment put down onto the slaves by the officers. For many slaves they were terrified of these men because of their mean tactics and differences in cultures. For slaves who would give up and not eat they would be punished greatly. They would be whipped hourly or they were forced to consume burning coals. Also, on these ships many sailors participated in acts of pleasure with many African women.

The arrival to America was also similar for both the indentured servants and slaves. After, the extreme voyage they were both taken to towns where they were inspected and bought by their owners. For those who had become sick on the passage they were usually taken last or not at all. This process of finding an owner was very long and sad. Many families were broken apart and never to be seen again.

Lives for indentured servants and slaves did not improve after finding an owner. Again the conditions were very extreme. Many of the servants and slaves were extremely ravenous, not clothed properly, and overworked by their masters. Elizabeth Sprigs illustrates this fact in her writings of the hardships given to them by their masters in her letter to her father. Scarce any thing but Indian corn and salt to eat and that even begrudged nay many Negroes are better used, almost naked no shoes nor stockings to wear. (Sprigs pg. 34) The only difference between the slaves and indentured servants was the amount of time needed to work. For the slaves they were usually servants to their masters for their entire lives.

The indentured servants differed in this in that they only needed to work as long were needed to pay off their passage. This time was usually between three to six years. Also, for indentured children they needed to work until the age of 21, and if any of the passengers spouses had died on the voyage they would have to work double the time to repay their spouses debt. This difference gave the indentured servants hope in their work that someday they would be free. While the Africans knew that their fate was set on a life of misery and pain. The last similarity between the slaves and indentured servants was their rank in the social classes.

Slaves and indentured servants were seen as the bottom of the social hierarchy. They were so low that it was against the law for any master to indulge sexually with any of these people. As shown in The Laws of Virginia this would result in a fine. For many slaves and indentured servants life in America was a dread and dreary existence. Many lived a painful life where they didnt have enough food, clothing, and emotional stability. The slaves and indentured servants were extremely similar in their purpose in America and struggles.

The biggest difference was that the indentured servants knew that this fate wouldnt last forever, but the slave had to live through these conditions throughout their lives.


Free research essays on topics related to: living quarters, food and water, servants, indentured servants, fresh air

Research essay sample on Food And Water Indentured Servants

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