Slavery during the 17th century worked more like indentured servitude. The first blacks to come to the Americas were indentured servants. They worked off the debt of their passage and were given land following their servitude. The whole system of indentured servitude fell away after land resources became limited. Blacks were allowed to purchase their freedom, buy land, even some having their own slaves. As the colonies entered into the 18th century, the black population was increasing as slave labor became more important to the plantations. Increasing numbers coupled with slave revolts led to the creation of slave laws in many of the colonies. These laws made slavery lifelong and a status associated with birth to a slave mother. Though slavery was becoming less common in the British Empire, when the US became independent, slavery became a part of the new country's economy and social structure.
The American Crisis<span> is a pamphlet series by 18th century </span>Enlightenment<span> philosopher and author </span>Thomas Paine<span>, originally published from 1776 to 1783 during the </span>American Revolution<span>. Often known as </span>The American Crisis<span> or simply </span>The Crisis,<span> there are 16 pamphlets in total.</span>[1]<span> Thirteen numbered pamphlets were published between 1776 and 1777, with three additional pamphlets released between 1777 and 1783.</span>[2]<span> The first of the pamphlets were published in </span>Pennsylvania Journal.[3]<span> Paine signed the pamphlets with the pseudonym, "Common Sense."</span>
