How did the use of slave labor evolve in colonial Virginia during the late seventeenth century?

The correct answer illustrates a significant trend in colonial Virginia during the late seventeenth century, where the use of slave labor evolved through an increased reliance on enslaved Africans in agricultural production, particularly in the tobacco industry. As the demand for labor intensified due to the booming tobacco market, planters began to prefer the use of enslaved Africans over white indentured servants. This shift was driven by several factors, such as the decreasing availability of white indentured servitude and the increasing profitability of slave labor, which offered a more permanent and controlled labor force.

This evolution was marked by legislation that increasingly defined the status of Africans and solidified the racial caste system, ultimately leading to a system of chattel slavery that would persist for centuries. The displacement of white indentured servants also reflects a broader social and economic transition in the colony, where economic interests began to profoundly shape labor practices and societal structures.

By contrast, the other options do not accurately represent the historical context of this period. Indentured servitude did not gain in popularity during this time; rather, it was on the decline as the economic dynamics shifted. There was no widespread demand for equal rights from white indentured servants in relation to enslaved individuals, as societal norms and racial hier