The southern colonies practiced indentured servitude and slavery because

The headright system granted landowners 50 acres for each individual they brought to Virginia. This encouraged wealthy landowners to bring indentured servants to the colony. T…hese servants each served from five to seven years in return for their passage, room and board. After their service, they moved to unsettled land with some very basic supplies and cleared the land. In turn, they became landowners and brought indentured servants to the colony. The lasting effects were that Virginia was able to expnad and utilize some of the most fertile land in the Colonies

The answer to this question is a