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.
What Nat didn't realize however was that a few people had escaped his attack and went to alarm the other families, who then formed two small militias to confront Nat as he marched towards the town. Nathaniel soon realized one of the militias as he ordered his outlaw crew to attack them, suffering heavy losses Nat came out victorious, but only momentarily as he was soon attacked by the second militia which sent his small band running. This proved to be the downfall of Nat Turner’s rebellion because besides killing a few more white people Nat was never able to build up his rag tag army and
Nat and Denmark both found a way out of work to preach to the other slaves and start rebellion. They both made attempts at gathering a crowd to go up against slave owners. Nat Turner and Denmark Vasey had two very similar plans on revolting from their slave owners. Turner got many church congregation members got together to kill his slave owners in South Hampton, Virginia.
The enslaved people who were located on Waller’s plantation did many different things to rebel against their limitations and oppose Waller himself. They did things like name calling, praising god, and learning how to read and write. For example, Nat Turner was a slave who was self-educated and believed heavily in some religious visions. On the morning of August 22, Nat Turner and his followers murdered their master and his family. After continuously growing more and more members Turner continued on his massacre killing around 55-65 white slave owners-the aftermath lead to about 60 slaves being executed.
Although he was prepared to go to extreme lengths to obtain his freedom, the outcome ended up becoming a massacre. Due to Nat s rebellion, two hundred blacks and sixty whites were killed. Nat however did in fact not take part in the killings. Oates makes it appear as if in the end, Nat did not want this to become a bloodbath. Even though he thought things were getting out of control, he stood by, idly watching the massacre that was taking place.
The governor of Virginia was afraid that they weren’t going to have slaves anymore due to the uproar of the slave revolt. I truly believe Nat should be remembered as a Hero due to the fact that he stood up for what he believed was right and he took action. Nat started this monumental rebellion not even realizing that being publicly hung would be his death sentence. Nat was courageous and listened to signs God shown him. Nat believed in his heart that he was doing the right thing.
The revolt lasted up to two days, but what we see if Turner actually does not practice the killing himself. Turner finds it hard to find enough courage to even find his former slave owners and slaughter them and their family. It turns out a lot of them actually influenced a lot of his religious point of views, and that “In spite of his enslavement, in spite of his own preaching’s and prophecies, he did not know that he could do it.” (54). A lot of the slave army actually took it too much into their own hands slaughtering infants, children, and any other whites that did not even have part to do with the
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.
Believe it or not a few of the people that revolted were slaves who had already been set free. Even some slaves that were free felt so powerfully about ending slavery that they still joined Nat's revolt, knowing the consequences it could have on
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”).
As a slave, he tried to incite a rebellion, but the other slaves ignored his efforts (Tyler 123). He did not want to be ignored, which is exactly what he
The revolt led by Nat Turner was not a spur of the moment thing. Nat thought the unusual weather patterns and visions were telling him to commit this act. On Sunday,
The Whiskey Rebellion: When the Confederation Congress had failed greatly with their desire to successfully tie the outlying western areas of the country in the firm structure of the new government. Despite the Northwest Ordinance, which had created single Northwest territory containing land north of Ohio. Under the Northwest Ordinance it had specified a population of 60,000 people to be a minimum amount to gain their statehood. In which the Ordinance had also stated they would gain their freedom of religion and right to a trail by jury to the residents of the territory, and also prohibited slavery throughout the territory. The farmers in the western parts of Massachusetts had begun to rise up in revolt; While settlers in Vermont, Kentucky and Tennessee had begun toying with the new idea of seperating from the Union.
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.
As for the difficulties in abolitionist movement, slave owners who employed slave labor in the Americas strongly resisted abolitionist efforts. Social tension and instability created by employer who employed slave labor became more and more serious. Unlike the case in Europe, slavery in America was a domestic institution in the United States and was primarily under local (state) control, slaveholders often dominated the country 's national government. Employers of slave labor feared for their own safety if the slaves were freed. Due to the import of large number of slaves, several regions had slave majorities.
