Question

Why did colonial lawmakers create strict slave codes in the late 1600s?

Answer 1

The development of the American colonies began in the late 1600s with the arrival of English pioneers and, in addition, slave labor. The strict slave laws arose largely out of concern that the European population would quickly be surpassed by the slave population. This would undermine the mercantile st economy which depended on slave production of cotton, hemp, tobacco, etc.