Governing the Nations, Research Paper Example

Definition

Indentured servants were persons obliged by contract to work for a stated number of years. During the early settlement of Maryland, many newcomers were indentured servants who wanted to immigrate to the colony, but could not pay for passage. Those people could agree to exchange time in service for the cost of the voyage. The servant might have accompanied his master to Maryland, or signed papers with a sea captain who then sold the contract after landing in the colony. One form of indenture obliged the master to provide transportation, food, clothing, and lodging for the servant during the term of servitude. On completion of the servant’s term, the master may have promised to furnish clothing, a year’s provision of corn, and the right to 50 acres of land. The usual length of service was 4 to 5 years, but in the case of a valuable skilled worker, such as a blacksmith or cooper, the time could be shortened to induce the person to sign.[1] “Maryland State Archives Reference and Research”.

“While slaves existed throughout the English colonies in the 1600’s indentured servitude was the choice employed by many planters before the 1680’s.  The system created incentives for both the master and the servant to increase the working population of the colonies”. [2]“U.S. History Pre-Columbian to the New Millennium”.  Virginia and Maryland operated under the ‘Headright System’.  The leaders of each colony knew that labour was essential for economic survival, so they provided incentives for planters to import workers. For each labourer brought across the Atlantic, the master was rewarded with 50 acres of land. This system was used by wealthy plantation aristocrats to increase their land holdings dramatically. In addition, of course, they received the services of the workers for the duration of the indenture.

Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence listed colonist’s grievances against the King. Some of the grievances were that the King limited trial by jury and has made judge’s dependent on his will alone for their tenure in office and their salaries.  Through the Articles of Confederation independent states were able to replace their colonial charters with written constitutions laying out structure of government and rights retained by the people.  Common law remained prevalent in areas where legislation was silent.  The American Revolution and Declaration of Independence were based on the philosophy of John Locke.  Locke’s philosophy defined the sanctity of life, liberty and property.  It is rather an expression of ‘self-evident truths’ and an expression of grievances of the American people.

Constitutional Effect

In 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution ended slavery and involuntary servitude. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. The Amendment was passed by Congress January 31, 1865, and ratified December 6, 1865.

Articles of Confederation Effect

Before the United States had a Constitution it relied on the Articles of Confederation to parole government actions. Because the experience of overbearing British central authority was vivid in colonial minds, the drafters of the Articles deliberately established a confederation of sovereign states, rather than a strong centralized government. There was not any indication on how slavery and indentured servitude prohibition was to be enforced. Something modelled along Pennsylvania’s emancipation statute had emerged. The French hoped that would resolve the dilemma by allowing them to keep their slaves in the territory and hold on to property as well. Settlors believed the prohibition violated their rights. Congress had no intention of extending slaves or indentured servants to the French or any other colonies.

Pros and Cons of the Ratification of the Constitution

In the eyes of a Maryland indentured servant, ratification of the Constitution would be a negative aspect for they would not be allowed to come to the colonies if they could not afford to do so on their own because by way of the 13^th Amendment, indentured servitude was completely abolished.

Let’s compare and contrast ratifying the Constitution for a bit.  Ratification would clear the issues of slavery and indentured servitude and completely abolish such practise.  Forced labour actually decreases productivity. [3]”Forced Labour”. ”It is highly prevalent in underdeveloped countries and countries run by authoritarian government”. “Free- will increases desire to work and substantially would increase economic welfare with regards to manufacture of goods and agricultural production which is essential to our survival.  On the downside of ratification, legislature becomes more entrenched thus become more Supreme.  Some may call this a democracy, but if this is not monitored by checks and balances this can lead to an ‘elective dictatorship’ as present in the United Kingdom where Parliament is sovereign and there is no true separation of powers between the executive and the legislative.

Conclusion

As a Maryland indentured servant I vehemently oppose the ratification of the Constitution because it will clarify and enforce the Articles of Confederation and completely abolish slavery and indentured servitude as per the 13^th Amendment. My position is that without indentured servitude practise I would not be able to afford my trip to Maryland colony.  My owner has provided me with the ticket in return for work and I will get food and shelter for a work repayment of five years.  Even though that may not seem to be a fair trade, I have no other means of attaining a better way of life.  This is the closed mindedness that he servitudes possessed in those days because of oppression.

References

Maryland State Archives Reference and Research Understanding Maryland Records Indentured Servants http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/refserv/html/servant.html>accessed 17 August 2009.

U.S. History Pre-Columbian to the New Millennium< http://www.ushistory.org/us/5b.asp>accessed 17 August 2009.

Labour Economics<http://www.jstor.org/pss/1823837accessed 17 August 2009.

[1] Maryland State Archives Reference and Research Understanding Maryland Records Indentured Servantshttp://www.msa.md.gov/msa/refserv/html/servant.html>accessed 17 August 2009.

[2] U.S. History Pre-Columbian to the New Millennium< http://www.ushistory.org/us/5b.asp>accessed 17 August 2009.

[3] Labour Economics<http://www.jstor.org/pss/1823837accessed 17 August 2009.