Free labor was a term used in American history to describe the system of labor where workers were not slaves, but they were not paid for their work either. This system of labor was prevalent before the Civil War and played a significant role in shaping the economic and social landscape of America.
What is Free Labor?
Free labor is a system of labor where workers are not slaves but are not paid either. The workers, usually poor whites or immigrants, would work for a period of time, usually five to seven years, in exchange for food, shelter, and training. After completing their term, they would be free to find work elsewhere.
Origins of Free Labor
The idea of free labor came from the British indentured servitude system. Indentured servants were people who agreed to work for a period in exchange for passage to America. This system was prevalent in early colonial America and continued until the mid-19th century.
As slavery became more entrenched in the South, Northern abolitionists began advocating for free labor as an alternative to slavery. They argued that free labor would benefit both workers and society as a whole.
The Rise of Free Labor
The rise of free labor coincided with the growth of industrialization in America. As factories sprang up across the country, there was an increasing demand for cheap labor.
Many immigrants came to America during this time looking for work. These immigrants were often poor and uneducated and had few opportunities available to them.
Free labor offered these immigrants a chance to learn new skills while providing them with food and shelter. In exchange for their services, they would be able to gain valuable experience that would help them find better-paying jobs later on.
The End of Free Labor
The end of free labor came as a result of the Civil War. The Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves in the South, and the 13th Amendment abolished slavery altogether.
With the end of slavery, the system of free labor became obsolete. Workers were no longer willing to work for nothing, and employers were forced to pay their workers a wage.
Conclusion
Free labor was a system of labor that played a significant role in American history. It helped provide opportunities for immigrants and poor whites to gain valuable experience while providing them with food and shelter.
However, it was also a system that was exploitative and ultimately unsustainable. With the end of slavery, free labor became obsolete, and workers were finally able to demand fair compensation for their work.