Module 02: Unthinking Decision? Why Did Slavery Emerge in Virginia?
Evidence 12: Profit/Cost of Labor Calculator
Introduction
To compare the profit and cost of indentured servitude to slavery, use data from the preceding graphs to fill in the appropriate blanks on the Profit/Cost of Labor Calculator below for both servants and slaves in 1620, 1660, and 1690. Notice how the "annualized acquisition price" and the "annual profit" change. The acquisition price indicates how much per year it cost to acquire, though not feed or clothe, a worker, which is roughly the same for servants and slaves. Profit indicates how much income (in pence) the worker will earn his master that year raising tobacco. You can also enter numbers not on the graphs to gauge which factors caused cost or profit to rise or fall. Click below to view the preceding charts.
