What shortage did colonies face as a result of dwindling native populations from disease?
1 Answer
The colonists faced a labor shortage, as well as a shortage of food production.
Explanation:
The early settlers traded with the native Americans for food. This was an indirect source of labor for the Jamestown colony. Due to disease reducing the population of the tribes there was less food for the Native Americans to trade with the colonists. Also conflict and warfare with the tribes reduced trade for food.
One solution was a form of slavery called indentured servants. These people, poor people form England traded 7 years of their lives for passage to America. The problem was often these people ran away to start their own homes before serving the 7 years.
The other solution was the enslavement of African's. The Black Slaves from Africa could not blend with the general population.
The slaves were used for solve the labor shortage and for food production.
