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Pros And Cons Of Nat Turner

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A murderer, but not a monster. It’s hard to believe that anyone would consider the thought of Nat Turner not being a monster after unsympathetically killing around 50 people. However, gaining some knowledge of the circumstances that were happening during this time in 1828 in Southampton, Virginia may justify the actions of a born slave. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness: a set of qualities promised to all Americans through the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Yet, one could argue that liberty was never an option for a slave in the early 1800s. Furthermore, to accurately transcribe a personal interview during this time was not easy. Lack of technology in the early 1800s makes it clear that Nat’s truth may have been …show more content…

Furthermore, his confession may not tell the whole truth. Nat was interviewed by attorney Thomas Ruffin Gray on November 1st, 1831 and continued his conversation throughout the next two days. When the interview was finally over, it took Gray 5 days to officially print the manuscript. The credibility of these transcripts is questionable due to the difficulty and longevity to officially print copies of what this “monster” apparently confessed. “But like all documents generated in the course of master-class investigations of slave revolts, alleged or actual, The Confessions of Nat Turner raises obvious evidentiary quandaries: credibility, reliability, authenticity”(Tomlins, 3). Obviously, the ability to record an interview was not an option in the early 1800s, so one could argue that the only thing between truth and fiction was the word of Gray himself. Additionally, there are parts of this confession that seem controversial and could prove the lack of authenticity of Gray’s work. “--my master, who belonged to the church, and other religious persons who visited the house, and whom I often saw at prayers, noticing the singularity of my manners…” It is unclear why Nat would be so eager to kill his master if both of them enjoyed church and prayer together; this may be a bias of Gray’s translation in order to make Nat seem more evil than he actually is. If Gray can make people believe that Nat had no sympathy or reason for his rebellion, then there would be no doubt in people’s minds that Nat was indeed a

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In The Fires of Jubilee, Stephen Oates describes the events that led to Nat Turner’s rebellion. His goal had been to create a narrative that was realistic and true to the real history behind these events. Upon reading this book, I believe that Oates achieved his goal. He was able to portray the struggles of many slaves during that time, and the fight for the freedom they so much desired.

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The Fires of Jubilee written by Stephen B. Oates is a book written about a young slave life from prepubescents to adulthood, or better yet a young smart boy to an older anarchy inducing man. The setting of the book takes place in Southampton County Virginia around the 1800’s. The main protagonist being a young slave called Nat Turner. The author very briefly gives details about Nat’s life as a newborn, mainly giving a brief summary of who his mother is. His mother was purchased to be a slave by a man named Benjamin Turner, a wealthy tide water planter.

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I would think using the word “racist” when discussing the events from the 1860s and the Civil War would be appropriate. Quite frankly, there is almost no way not to use it, It was a major contradicting issue back then. How could someone state, “God himself has made them usefulness as slaves, and requires us to employ them as such,” and “Our Heavenly Father has made us to rule, and the Negroes to serve,” (Pictures of Slavery and Anti-Slavery: Advantages of Negro Slavery and the Benefits of Negro Freedom Morally, Socially, and Politically by John Bell Robinson) and it not be considered racist. This is a prime example of someone judging and stereotyping a human being just because their skin is a different color.

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Ulysses S. Grant is the face you see when you receive a fifty dollar bill. But when you look at the face, what do you think? Do you think of greatness? Do you feel secure? United States currency is supposed to represent what we stand for as a nation.

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• Iowa Congressman Steve King filed an amendment to a Treasury Department funding bill to prohibit the department from redesigning currency to showcase Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill. He added the effort to replace Andrew Jackson was “liberal activism on the part of the president that’s trying to identify people by categories.” (I recall Reason doing a fair amount of coverage when the Tubman news first broke, so this could be a good follow-up) http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/house-could-vote-to-block-harriet-tubman-from-20-bill-224637 • In November, Californians will have the opportunity to repeal the state’s death penalty law. The measure is likely to compete with an initiative that seeks to speed up cases where the death penalty is

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Nat Turner, an African-American slave, led a rebellion and murdered several white slaveholders. He believed that a rebellion was necessary and that a spirit gave him the task to lead it. Throughout Nat Turner’s interview, it can be understood that he was determined to stop slavery or at least fight it for it was his belief that he must do it. His commitment to rise against the institution of slavery indicates that he did not enjoy being a slave. In a slave’s point of view, slaveholders were not kind but definitely tyrannical and cruel.

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The Fires of Jubilee is Stephen B. Oates jaw-dropping narrative of the dramatic events that took place in Southampton, Virginia in 1831. His book contains just a little examination or historiography, however centers the inconceivable extent of its 150+ pages on a direct recounting the rough occasions of the slave insubordination which broke out, and which will be associated with the name of its leader, Nat Turner. In Oates' record, white Virginia prided itself on its direct slave regime, even convincing itself that the slaves were not harassed into docility but rather were happy, slaves were extremely grateful for their lot. White Virginians looked down upon on what they viewed as the cruel and severe treatment of slaves in states known for

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Nat Turner and John Brown are both noted, as being symbols of American reform. Leaders of abolitionist groups, who went on a killing spree believing they were given “extraordinary powers from above” and were executed for their strong beliefs of anti-slavery. Their gruesome murders could easily attract followers and spark interest in others to write their biographies. John Brown and Nat turner both came from strong religious backgrounds.

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In the reading Nat Turner is not portrayed as a hero, but as a crazy slave. As Nat Turner describes the acts he committed he explains them very matter of factly with almost no emotion or remorse. He was an extremely religious man in both the reading and the movie, but in the reading he seems crazy talking about “visions” one included “I discovered drops of blood on the corn as though it were dew from heaven”(10) another being “I then found on the leaves in the woods hieroglyphic characters”(10).Nat Turner believed those were signs that from God that his “purpose” would soon be

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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”).

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This goes to show the tremendous toll slavery had on many families; a mother could kill her baby to give them a better life. Nat’s “owner,” Benjamin Turner, gave him the opportunity to learn how to read and write. (“Nat Turner’s Rebellion”) It became apparent from a young age that Nat was a very intelligent child. As he grew older, Nat Turner became more involved in religion, which he often practiced with his fellow slaves.

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Tensions rose across the country from those in support support of slavery and those opposed. Many states wanted to outlaw slavery while others adamantly defended it because it was the main institution with a high and consistent revenue. Ultimately, the disagreements over slavery are what lead to the Civil War. The country divided into an “Us versus Them” situation which lead to both sides having growing support for their views and making the groups less susceptible to an agreement. In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation which freed slaves from confederate states.

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Turner felt compelled to do this on his own free will. Not many slaves that have a chance of freedom would voluntarily return. When you carefully examine the magnitude of his actions, you understand his ability to command a crowd. How many prisoners do you think might escape, enjoy the taste of freedom, and voluntarily return to captivity, zero. Nat returned because he felt he had deserted those who believed in him and depended on his leadership .Nat

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Reasons to secede Though there could be listed many reasons why the southern states chose to secede. As stated in the introduction of this paper, the primary one that many historians refer to is slavery. This paper will explain why slavery was such a big reason for the secession. In addition to that, it will examine two other reasons, namely, economy and the rights of states. Of course, these are linked to slavery, and all the reasons will be more of a continuation of each other, and are simply different aspects of the same answer.

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his plantation, the amount of violence Northup details becomes more frequent, and he describes the fear that all slaves faced at the beginning of the new work day “Then the fears and labours of another day begin; and until its close there is no such thing as rest. He fears he will be caught lagging through the day; he fears to approach the gin house with his basket-load of cotton at night; he fears, when he lies down, that he will oversleep himself in the morning. (Northup, pg.171). Solomon Northup captures the relentless emotional and physical toll that slaves faced every day at the hands of their masters and the hired help.

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