Monk Bartolome' de las Casas commented upon the exploitation of Caribbean natives by Spanish explorers, exemplifying how servitude is a motif throughout history. Whether in Ancient Greece or modern-day Mauritania, the powerful classes of society sometimes enslave those regarded as inferior. Prior to the 17th century, thralls were prisoners of war or conquered enemies who could usually earn freedom; however, Europeans challenged such a principle as they began to enslave Africans because of their ebony complexion. Racism took root, catalyzing one of the most gruesome concepts of human history: the transatlantic slave trade. After rebellion of inert indentured servants, the English turned to African slavery. Brutal bondage impacted Africans not only upon arrival in the New World, but also as soon as their tribes interacted with Europeans. The English colonists sought slaves for a wide variety of reasons, but mostly because of issues with indentured servants. Due to the slowing of population growth and the 1666 job-creating conflagration in London, the pool of potential freemen shrunk. The concept of owning slaves also became more feasible as the colonies' economies developed. African slavery began in the colonies primarily due to Bacon's Rebellion, which occurred in 1676. Aristocrats' claims of the arable tidewater region drove liberated indentures to move west. They clashed with Native Americans upon the piedmont, the infertile land at the feet of the Appalachians. Governor Berkeley of Virginia, who maintained friendly relationships with natives, refused to defend resentful servants. Additionally, rocky soil made farming difficult and reduced former freemen's property value; therefore, they were unable to vote since land was almost synonymous with political influence. Angered at the government's apathy towards their plight, indentures rallied behind Nathaniel Bacon, a forward-thinking and sympathetic 29-year old. Bacon reached and torched the capital of Jamestown before the government put down his rebelli