What is the Difference Between Slaves and Indentured Servants?

The main difference between slaves and indentured servants lies in the nature of their work and the duration of their servitude. Here are the key differences:

1. Duration of servitude: Slaves were considered the legal property of their masters and were forced to work for their entire lives. Their offspring also became slaves, and they could be bought and sold at their masters' wishes. In contrast, indentured servants worked for a specific number of years based on an agreement, usually ranging from four to seven years. After completing their contract, they gained their freedom and could enjoy life as they desired.
2. Conditions of work: Indentured servants were provided with housing, food, and clothing, and they were often treated better than enslaved people. They could also have their contracts sold at market to different bidders and could be physically punished if they broke the law or tried to flee their servitude. Slaves, on the other hand, were given no liberty, remuneration, rights, nor freedom to make any kind of decision. They were often poorly treated and subjected to harsh living and working conditions.
3. Freedom: Indentured servants attained their freedom once they completed their contract, while enslaved people were permanently denied their freedom unless they could obtain the means to. Laws protected some of the rights of indentured servants, but they faced harsher punishments than non-servants for breaking the law, such as running away or becoming pregnant.

In summary, while both slaves and indentured servants worked for their masters, slaves were considered property for their entire lives and faced harsher conditions, whereas indentured servants worked for a specific period and were eventually granted their freedom.

Comparative Table: Slaves vs Indentured Servants

Here is a table comparing the differences between slaves and indentured servants:

The main difference between slaves and indentured servants is that slaves worked throughout their lives and had no rights, while indentured servants worked for a specific period and had the hope of freedom. Slaves were treated as property and could be bought and sold, whereas indentured servants signed a contract and received food, clothing, and shelter in exchange for their labor.