They Were White and They Were Slaves

They Were White and They Were Slaves examines the history of white indentured servitude and slavery in Colonial America and Britain. The book documents the recruitment, transport, and treatment of poor whites who were forced into bondage through various means during the 17th and 18th centuries. Based on primary sources and historical records, Hoffman reconstructs the conditions these laborers faced on ships during passage and on plantations in the New World. The text includes accounts of kidnappings, abuse, and the legal framework that enabled the practice of white servitude. The work challenges conventional narratives about slavery in early America and highlights a period of history that remains underexplored. Through analysis of economic and social factors, the book presents perspectives on class warfare and the exploitation of poor Europeans during the Colonial period. This historical study raises questions about power, economics, and the selective nature of historical memory. The work prompts reflection on how certain aspects of history become emphasized while others fade from public consciousness.

Readers report the book brings attention to the under-discussed topic of white indentured servitude and slavery in Colonial America. Many reviewers note it fills gaps in their historical knowledge. Readers appreciate: - Extensive primary source documentation and references - Focus on a neglected aspect of history - Personal accounts and first-hand narratives Common criticisms: - Writing can be repetitive - Some sections lack organization - Occasional emotional rather than academic tone - Several reviewers question certain statistics and interpretations Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (286 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (1,243 ratings) "Eye-opening but needs better editing" notes one Amazon reviewer. Multiple readers mention the book helped them understand their own family histories of indentured servitude. Some academics critique Hoffman's credentials and methodology, with one Goodreads review calling it "more polemic than scholarly work." Most readers recommend it while acknowledging its flaws.

White Cargo by Don Jordan, Michael Walsh Documents the forgotten history of indentured servitude and forced labor of poor Europeans in colonial America through primary sources and court records.

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Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters by Robert Davis Examines the enslavement of European Christians by Barbary pirates in North Africa between 1500-1800 using archival research and historical records.

Forgotten History: British Slaves on the Barbary Coast by Simon Webb Investigates the capture and enslavement of British citizens by North African raiders during the 16th-18th centuries through naval records and personal accounts.

The Forgotten Slave Trade by Simon Webb Presents research on the million Europeans enslaved by African and Middle Eastern slave traders through examination of historical documents and contemporary accounts.

📚 Many white European children were kidnapped for labor in colonial America through a practice known as "spiriting," with estimates suggesting up to 10,000 children per year were taken from London alone during peak periods. 🔎 The term "redlegs" originated in Barbados, referring to poor white laborers whose fair skin burned red in the sun - their descendants still live in the Caribbean today. ⚓ Bristol and Liverpool became major British port cities largely due to their role in transporting indentured servants to the Americas, not just through the African slave trade. 📜 The indenture contracts that bound white servants could legally be bought, sold, and inherited, similar to property, and servants could not marry without their master's permission. 🗝 The word "kidnapping" originated specifically from the practice of nabbing or "napping" children ("kind" meaning child in Middle English) for servitude in the American colonies.