Question

Nineteenth-century indenture has been described as a new system of slavery. Explain

Answer 1

Why was 19th century indenture system referred to as the new 'system of slavery'? (i) The indenture labourers lived in harsh working conditions and had few legal rights. ... (iii) If anyone wanted to run away, they were caught and severely punished that is why indenture has been described as the new system of slavery.

Answer 2

Answer:

In the 19th century, hundreds of thousands of Indian and Chinese labourers went to work on plantations, in mines and in road and railway construction projects around the world. :It was a world of faster economic growth as well as great misery, higher incomes for some- and poverty for others. : In the 19th century, hundreds of thousands of Indian and Chinese labourers went to work on plantations in mines and in road and railway construction projects around the world. :In India, indentured labourers were hired under contracts which promised return travel to India after they had worked for five years on their employer’s plantations. Gradually, in India, cottage industries declined, land rents rose, lands were cleared for mines and plantations. All this affected the lives of the poor; they failed to pay their rents, became indebted and were forced to migrate in search of work. :The main destinations of Indian indentured migrants were the Caribbean islands, Trinidad, Guyana, Surinam, Mauritius, Fiji and Ceylon and Malaya. : Recruitment was done by agents engaged by employers and paid a small commission. : Agents also sometimes tempted these migrants by providing false information about final destinations, modes of travel, nature of work and living and working conditions. Sometimes, agents even forcibly abducted less willing migrants.