Fifth graders describe the major accomplishments of Deborah Sampson and her importance in American history. They list in chronological order the evets that took place in Deborah Sampson's life. They demonstrae their ability to...

Fifth graders explore poems of African Americans. They research a famous African American, write a report, create a timeline of events in African American history, create a map of the New World, and research Molly Walsh. After...

In this teaching American history worksheet, students examine a primary source document regarding the Stamp Act. Students discuss their impressions of the document.  

In this spelling list worksheet, students practice spelling words that are sight words, prefix sub-, and vocabulary. Students practice spelling 21 words total.

Pupils study documents to show the continued growth of development of 18th century Deerfield, CT.

Students examine the markets that brought people to America. They identify the role of the immigrants in creating this country. They also analyze data to gather information about the time period.

Students examine the hunting and farming practices of the Black Pioneer. They identify crops raised by black pioneers, and explore the contribution of children to the success of the family farm. Students explore the importance of...

A comprehensive article from Maryland Historical Magazine written about the indentured servants, particularly those in Hampton, Maryland.

A list of laws and legal opinions from 17th-century colonial Virginia concerning indentured servants.

South of New England, half of all immigrants arrived in various forms of unfreedom: as indentured servants, apprentices, tenants, convicts, or slaves. George Washington's namesake--a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses named George...

This resource provides a brief overview of how many settlers in the colonies were indentured servants and how the system of indentured servitude tied to slavery.

This page gives information about the indentured servants brought from England to Colonial Virginia during the seventeenth century.

This site from the Virtual Jamestown of Crandall Shifflett provides the letter of Richard Frethorne to his parents in 1623 begging for their support in a desperate situation.

This site provides the original text of Virginia colonial laws concerning different aspects of slavery for Africans, Native Americans, and indentured servants.

This lesson explores the practice of indentured servitude in colonial Virginia. Students examine a petition by Phillip Gowen, an African American indentured servant, who asked the governor of Virginia to release him from servitude in 1675.

Describes the struggles of the Jamestown Colony to survive in its first years. Many died from disease and starvation, and things only began to turn when the colonists started to grow tobacco. The use of indentured servants and later,...

A chapter from a history text that looks at the development of the Southern Colonies. It discusses the Southern agricultural economy that relied on slave labor, tobacco as a cash crop, Southern society, indentured servitude, Bacon's...

Men and women with little active interest in a new life in America were often induced to make the move to the New World by the skillful persuasion of promoters. William Penn, for example, publicized the opportunities awaiting newcomers...

This discussion by Prof. Peter Wood of Duke University explores what may have allowed the shift from indentured servitude to lifelong slavery for Africans and their children. Click on Teacher's Guide for teacher resources.

Read about how the decrease in the availability of indentured servants led to a vast increase in the importation of African slaves into the southern colonies. Bacon's Rebellion even had an effect on the replacement of indentured servants...

A good description of the use of indentured servants in early Jamestown as a labor force to cultivate tobacco, the cash crop that saved the colony.

A clear explanation of the system of indentured servitude that supplied Virginia tobacco plantations with the labor force they needed in order to manage their crops. Explains how such servants were able to earn their own land, and how...

A chapter from a history text that looks at the plantation economy of the Southern colonies, which relied on slave labor. It discusses the role of women as second class citizens, the cash crops that were grown, indentured servitude, the...

Here is a general description of the gradual change from using indentured servants to recognizing Africans as slaves and the laws reflecting this change.