The lives of Servants and Slaves Indentured servants are different from slaves, but they are similar in some ways. During the 1600s the planters had a choice whether to own a servant or slave. Servants looked forward to a brighter future. On the other hand, slaves had no hope. All slaves and servants were farmers. The lives of servants and slaves were very similar. They both had physical punishment from their masters. They both worked for no money and with no control over their lives. Both were brought to the New World in bad conditions, with many dying along the way. Slaves and indentured servants were considered personal property. There are many differences between servants and slaves. Slaves were forced into slavery, while
