The imperialists needed workers to work on the land that was colonized. The locals were not an option because they were often either insubordinate, or they were protected by the law. That's why having slaves to work in those colonies was great, which is why they got them from Africa.
What was the role of the House of Burgesses?
The Virginia House of Burgesses was the first democratically-elected legislative body in British North America. This group of representatives met from 1619 until 1776. The members, or burgesses, were elected from each county in Virginia with each county sending two burgesses.
In the 15th century, Europe sought to expand trade routes to find new sources of wealth and bring Christianity to the East and any newly found lands. This European Age of Discovery saw the rise of colonial empires on a global scale, building a commercial network that connected Europe, Asia, Africa, and the New World.
