> In theory, if they needed slave labor, why not make slaves out of the indigenous? It's a lot harder for an imported slave to run off than a local one. Local

> In theory, if they needed slave labor, why not make slaves out of the indigenous? It's a lot harder for an imported slave to run off than a local one. Local slave knows the land, knows where to run to, has a decent expectation that if they run there things will be better... An imported slave who runs doesn't really have that. And where systems could be put in place to keep slaves from running, like the islands of the Caribbean? Well, those natives were worked to death, and then African slaves were imported to replace them. (And then more replacements came, because they were serious about that "working to death" thing)