Influence of Tobacco Production on the Experiences of the Corresponding Individuals
Basing on the article under consideration, the production of tobacco in Virginia, United States, influenced the experiences of the involved individuals in diverse ways. The influence of tobacco production varied according to gender, age, ethnicity, race, and social ranks (Bradford et al., 1825). The lands of Virginia were highly preferred by colonies as far as tobacco production is concerned. Also, the natives of Virginia carried out farming of corn, maize, and tobacco. The colonies established their settlement schemes at Virginia by the use of slaves. Black Americans and some whites were engaged in slavery activities in tobacco plantations.
Based on a letter written by Richard Frethorne to his parents in England, it describes in-depth the indentured servitude in Virginia (William 1690). The reason behind the letter written by Richard Frethorne was to beg his parents to rescue him from the hostile servitude bondage. He further explained in his letter that the prevailing conditions in Virginia resulted in his worsening sickness. He was serving in the farms of England colonies under harsh conditions characterized by scarcity of food and shelter. The environment where they were residing was full of war invasions by the natives and Indians, and this led to a loss of several lives of the soldiers and even their captain.
The racial influence of tobacco products was not welcoming at all. From the reviewed article, black African- Americans carried out tobacco production. The racial injustice was evident by the blacks subjected to oppression (Anthony 1670). The blacks were seen as the sources of cheap labor and thus were strongly subjected to brutal treatment by England colonies.
Moreover, the element of ethnicity was clearly evident where Indians and natives of Virginia were discriminated against by the colonies. For instance, colonies from England lured the ruling leaders of Virginia so as to get access to plantations that supported tobacco production. Ethnicity oriented warfares were depicted from the letter drafted by Richard Frethorne to his parents (John 1770). He describes that there were severe war fronts between colonies in the seas where the boats and canoes belonging to colonies were burnt by the natives.
Production of tobacco in Virginia had a negative influence on gender. Mostly men were involved in severe massacre and treason. There are some scenarios where women were oppressed by men on the verge of fighting for lands for tobacco production. This is clearly evident in the testimony obtained from the 1681 records of Virginia court where Katherine Watkins, wife to Henry County, was subjected to brutal injuries by John Long (Russell 29). From the Court hearings adjudicated by William Randolph’s. It is noted that the accused, John Long inflicted injuries to Katherine Watkins due to the fight for tobacco production grounds. Therefore, the production of tobacco in Virginia presented a negative influence on gender.
Tobacco production had a negative influence on age since it brought about the loss of lives of several servitude breadwinners leaving behind young children. For instance, the case of Katherine Watkins where she was injured by Long John. She felt sick, and thus her kids went through hardship due to inadequate maternal care owing to their mother’s sickness.
Tobacco production influences high social ranks negatively. It favored the high profile leaders in Virginia, whereby the colonies granted the kings substantial valuables. On the other side, the soldiers who were occupying more top ranks were the target individuals by the natives of Virginia as well as by the Indians (William 1690). For instance, the death of Nathaniel Bacon, who came from a royal family prominent in English. After Bacon’s arrival in Virginia, Sir William Berkeley, who was the then Virginia governor, recognized him because of his eloquence in English. Therefore, tobacco production had a negative influence on social ranks in Virginia.