How did most indentured servants in colonial times enter into servitude compared to slaves?

Most indentured servants in colonial times entered into servitude voluntarily, typically as a means to improve their economic situation or to seek opportunity in a new land. These individuals often signed contracts agreeing to work for a certain number of years in exchange for passage to America, room and board, and sometimes land or tools at the end of their term. This voluntary choice contrasts sharply with the experience of enslaved individuals, who were forcibly taken and had no agency in entering into servitude.

The distinction between voluntary indentured servitude and the coercive nature of slavery is critical to understanding colonial labor systems. Over time, as the demand for labor grew, especially in the agricultural economy, the harsh realities of slavery became more prominent, leading to the widespread use of enslaved people who had no choice or legal rights. Indentured servants, while often facing tough conditions, did have the prospect of eventually gaining their freedom, which was not an option for enslaved individuals.