Woody Holton illustrates in his book, Forced Founders: Indians, Debtors, Slaves, and the Making of the American Revolution in Virginia, how minority groups had a powerful impact on the Revolutionary cause . He claims that these non-elite groups “helped propel free Virginians into the Independence movement,” specifically from 1763 to 1776 (Holton xviii). In other words, Holton emphasizes how minority groups with less power, such as “Indians, merchants, slaves, and debtors,” affected the majority groups (xvii, xviii). These non-elites ultimately helped to spread the Revolutionary cause within Virginia. Throughout his text, Holton explains three ways this influence operated.
One of the events in the history of the anti-slavery fight in the United States that caused the highest number of fatalities was The Nat Turner Rebellion. It was a highly important event that has changed the course of American history and the slavery abolishment. The United States became an entirely other place than it would have been without the rebellion. Thus, there is no wonder that even literature covers this period and these events. The book The Fires of Jubilee written by Stephen B. Oates depicts the atmosphere of trouble and chaos resulting from Nat Turner's rebellion and tells a story of a man who was born as a slave to gain freedom.
The work of these freed slaves and abolitionists inspired fear from southerners and northerners alike. They were afraid of a rush of freed slaves entering the North. Many opposers to abolition grew violent. During this time in 1830, David Walker, a free African American born in the South died under strange circumstances, after promoting the violent downfall of the slave trade (Norton,2015). Nat Turner kept seeing sign after sign up until 1831 when he began his murderous rebellion.
I think the only thing I support about this revolts is that it kind of open others mind to fight for themselves. I support more of Vesey’s way of rebellion because it wasn’t too violent were as Turner killed innocent women and children. On Turner rebellions, it is bloody but I think since it became one of the famous rebellion it really push lots of slaves to speak up for what they believe is right. I understand that whites needed the slave to work on their plantations but not to the point where the slaves did not have rest or they get paid so little and some of them not even.
Throughout the years, individuals have learned U.S. History through the perspective of the governments, leaders, the conqueror. However, through Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States, the reader saw a different perspective. They saw the views of slaves, of women, of the underdogs. This was Zinn’s purpose for writing A People’s History of the United States, to show the reader the other side of historical events, because too much of history is written by the elite. The thesis that seems to be maintained throughout is that the minority shaped America to what it is today.
Nat Turners Rebellion became monumental for many people of color, he was idolized and respected for his courageous actions. The rebellion created fear that spread through the South, even those in favor for abolishment now wanted stricter laws for slaves. Turner was “recorded on the list of dishonor” for the organization he had lead (“An Address To The Slave Of The united Slaves”). There had been an interview by Thomas R. Gray, defending and slightly sympathizing with Turners actions, many rejected the validation of the interview and felt as if he just wanted “to trick, confuse, and overwhelm the slave’s minds.” (“The Southampton Tragedy”).
Studying history allows individuals to witness the cruel actions that have been placed on the “minorities”. If a person was not white nor a male they were never granted many rights. But people who fell into those categories would not be walked over, instead they wanted to take initiative and start movements which lead to change. Change like the People’s Party during the nineteenth century, this ensured many farmers of the midwest and South that their voices would be heard when it came to the government making national decisions. Even activists like Ida B. Wells-
Although slavery was declared over after the passing of the thirteenth amendment, African Americans were not being treated with the respect or equality they deserved. Socially, politically and economically, African American people were not being given equal opportunities as white people. They had certain laws directed at them, which held them back from being equal to their white peers. They also had certain requirements, making it difficult for many African Americans to participate in the opportunity to vote for government leaders. Although they were freed from slavery, there was still a long way to go for equality through America’s reconstruction plan.
Although he has left great legacies, the overall affect he had was negative. Politically, the government had to make many decisions regarding laws. The revolt forced the Virginia legislature to openly discuss the idea of emancipation. However, the white politicians at that time decided against emancipations and opted for much harsher slave codes since slaves were needed for the economy. There were also numerous petitions relating to the role of slavery and how blacks would play in the state moving forward.
According to Clarence Lusane, author of "Nat Turner's Rebellion and the Legacy of Violence", "Southern slave owners doubled down and imposed even harsher conditions on those enslaved, more restrictions on blacks who were "free", and absolute intolerance for white who questioned the institution" (Lusane). Not only were the slaves treated worse, but even the, supposed, free African-Americans were as well. This aspect of the aftermath created because of the rebellion proves how unsuccessful he was in abolishing slavery. The strict rules enforced for the free African-Americans especially angered the North because they already believed that slavery was morally wrong. Having harsh laws subjected to free African-Americans must have been seen as worse, the political factor created more political tension between the North and the South.
Nat Turner Rebellion Stacey Cofield Florida State College at Jacksonville Nat Turner Rebellion The primary source that I have chosen is Nat Turner Explains His Rebellion, 1831. More than fifty white men, women and children were led to their untimely demised at the hands of Nat Turner. Leading a revolt that was comprised of Black men, some freed and others enslaved, Turner felt his actions were an act of God.
While reading about American history the thing that I found most appealing was the limited rights that women had during this era. Although women gave the early settlers longer life expectancy and brought hope to their future, women still were not considered equal to a man. Women were discriminated against and didn’t play an important role in early American history. Generally, women had fewer legal rights and career opportunity than men because they were considered weak and not able to perform certain tasks. Different women came from different ethnic backgrounds and were all created equal in the eyes of men.
The leader was eventually caught. Although today Nat Turner’s Rebellion is one of the most well known slave revolts, it was highly unsuccessful. Around nineteen of the rebels were sentenced to death, and a new feeling of fear and panic was spread. Because some freed blacks were involved with the revolt, even their rights became restrained. In Maryland, free blacks no longer enjoyed the right to trial by jury (Gresko 241).
Another positive outcome for freedom was the American Revolution. The revolution had extraordinary effects on slavery. By serving on both sides of the War, thousands of slaves won their freedom. Because of the Revolution, thousands also freed themselves by running away. Five thousand slaves in Georgia escaped, which was a third of the slavery population before the war.
Introduction The stories of the founding of the United States is legendary in many regards. History places it that America was found by a group of farmers who had local political experience. This group came together in one accord and in arms to go against the monarch and tyrant to become a self-governed state. In the words of these men, “all men are created equal,” a phrase that natural elicited men and women to risk their lives for freedom .
