Massachusetts AFL-CIO Scholarship Practice Exam

Who were indentured servants?

1. Individuals who worked permanently for wages

2. Individuals who exchanged labor for transportation

3. Skilled craftsmen in trades

4. Factory workers in Lowell

The correct answer is: Individuals who exchanged labor for transportation

Indentured servants were individuals who entered into a contract to work for a specified number of years in exchange for passage to a new land, usually colonial America, along with food, shelter, and sometimes a small wage. This arrangement allowed them to pay off the debt incurred for their transportation while providing labor to the landowners. Their situation was often precarious, as they were bound by the terms of their indenture, which could last several years, and they had limited rights during this period. In contrast, the other options describe different labor arrangements or occupations that do not fit the historical context of indentured servitude. Working permanently for wages, as mentioned in the first option, suggests a voluntary employment relationship with ongoing compensation, rather than a contracted term of servitude. The term skilled craftsmen relates to individuals who might have had specialized training or experience, which is not characteristic of indentured servants who often performed unskilled or semi-skilled labor. Lastly, factory workers in Lowell refers to a specific group of industrial workers from the 19th century, which is a separate context from the colonial practice of indentured servitude. Thus, identifying indented servants as those who exchanged labor for transportation accurately captures their role and purpose in history.