Labor Systems in Southern Colonies

In the Southern Colonies during the 17th century, the plantation system played a crucial role in the region's economy and society. Central to this system was the reliance on a particular labor force to maximize agricultural production. The cultivation of cash crops, such as tobacco and rice, became essential to the prosperity of planters. This economic structure also influenced social hierarchies and relationships between landowners and laborers.

Which of the following labor systems primarily supported the plantation economy in the Southern Colonies during this period?