Some of the earliest definitions of race were based on kinship and group affiliation. This meant you either came from the same household, family, or shared a common ancestor. We saw a shift in the idea of race as the rise of global capitalism,colonization, and the enlightenment era. The Spanish began colonization and looked to native populations to mine in horrible conditions, which resulted in many deaths. Enslaved africans and indentured britain's. Indenture is a contractual agreement with fixed terms that may be exploitative with many coming against their will, and others coming in exchange for a free passage. Indentured servants were mainly europeans. Many indentured servants after serving their time to pay off their debt eventually become property owners. Enslavement of Africans was for life, not for a fixed time or to pay off a debt. Slaves were dehumanized and there was no contract, a contract needs to be between two consenting human beings. Enslavement was passed down through the mother. Slave laws were enacted which made slavery hereditary. European theorists wanted to classify everything in groups and a hierarchy. Plants, animals, and even race were put into a hierarchy. 

L1: kinship or affiliation 
L2 : the rise of  global capitalism  and the enlightenment era
L3: indenture - contractual agreement with fixed terms , some were against their will , many came in exchange for free passage , many eventually became property owners .
enslavement - slavery is for life , slaves were not considered human , not a contract , slavery was hereditary.