Complexion said:
Speak on this breh, I think I know where you got it from but lets see.
Britain needed a 'buffer' between African slaves and themselves. That plan worked brilliantly in the Carribbean with mulattos as they became sort of the 'managerial class'. The problem in America was the African population was so large that the simple logistics made that solution problematic. On the other hand, there were PLENTY of poor, landless, immigrant Europeans working to make a living. They actually competed with African slaves for jobs and revolted against the same European powers in numerous revolts. The difference was they were 'protected' by British/European labor laws. Africans weren't. They weren't citizens.
These poor Europeans were given land and political power in the form of 'White skin' priviliges which, at once, solved three problems: (A) how to guard European interests throughout the colonies to lessen the strain on the British/European armed forces, (B) dividing poor Europeans from Africans to lessen the likelihood of labor disputes/revolts, and, (C) the creation of a permanent, self-perpetuating 'managerial' class to oversee the workers.
'Workers' = anyone NOT covered by European laws......which, at that time included the Irish, Africans, Native Americans, Australian aboriginies, continental Indians, etc.