Rebellion Against Slavery in Fires of Jubilee by Stephen B. Oates

Nat is without a doubt a “freedom fighter” and although his fight ended in blood, it was necessary at the time to help to end the continuance of such a cruel and inhuman practice. Slavery in itself was much more horrifying than every white death that ensued following the rebellion combined. Oates’s assertion that Turner’s rebellion was the first war against slavery is incredibly accurate, except in one sense, one does not need to be African-American to agree with this claim. Though an African-American could view slavery as a much more personal subject, because it affected and enslaved many of their own ancestors, one does not need to be black to understand how terrible slavery actually is. Any single person who can assess slavery with an open mind and completely unbiased will see that the suggestion that one person can own another person solely because of the color of one’s skin is completely inhumane, and it’s absolutely no surprise that those who were being enslaved decided to react. Nat did in fact commit a crime, he started a

The story of Nat Turner’s rebellion, that took place in Southampton, Virginia, on August 22, 1831, is somewhat of a lost event. This is because this particular stand was not the most successful at first, but it resulted in the later years as an rewarding rebellion. Nat Turner’s rebellion affected racism and slavery, by being a leader, by being influential, and by showing bravery. All three of these things must be used in order to have a successful rebellion in this situation especially.

In the process they killed fifty-five people and inspired close to sixty enslaved men on the journey to follow them. They continued to the town of Jerusalem with the purpose of destroying the town and killing all of the white people. During this time the governor called a few thousand of armed militiamen to end the rebellion. Slave masters at this time was terrified and didn’t know if they were next for this slaying or if their slaves were plotting the same rebellion. The militiamen gave the white people a slight relief of security. As the rebellion approached the town of Jerusalem the militia stopped them and many fled into the woods because they knew they were outnumbered. The militia searched and captured or killed the men who participating in the rebellion, except for Nat Turner, Nat hid for two months in Southampton County. Once he was captured, he was tried in court and then hanged and skinned his body. The other men were executed by the state or decapitated and heads posted on stakes to terrorize the black community. The fear in whites spread and they went out to kill blacks that had nothing to do with the Nat turner’s rebellion. These white mobs killed up to three hundred blacks. The governor of Virginia attempted to put a stop to these white mobs. The state legislature of Virginia considered ending slavery but ended up voting to restrict blacks freedom, hoping to prevent any future rebellions. In North Carolina, slaves were

This paper analyses the cause and the outcome of the Nat Turner’s rebellion. It also shows how violence was justified in the movement to abolish slavery because it proved that slave-owners should take the interest of slaves very seriously and treat them as a human, it also became a turning point where some slaves had the power to fight for a cause that they truly believed in and to a certain degree they were successful.

During their 'March of Destruction,'; things began to get out of hand. Though he was willing to go to extreme measures to gain his freedom, the events that ended up taking place ended up becoming a massacre. Due to Nat's rebellion, 60 whites and 200 blacks died. Though Nat did in fact partake in the killings, the author makes it out to seem as if in the end, Nat did not really want this to become a bloodbath. Although he thought that it was getting out of hand, he stood idly by, watching the massacre take place. In the end, a total of 50 stood trial, and 21, including Nat Turner were hung for the rebellion.

Although slavery has long been abolished, there is no doubt that there were important pieces of literature being produced at this time. The most significant pieces of literature were those against slavery. Anti-slavery writings gave people a closer look into what it is was like to be a slave. Two writings in particular played an essential role in expressing the mistreatment of slaves and the African American race itself. The Narrative of Frederick Douglass and David Walker's Appeal, explained the problems slaves has in learning, hypocrisy in Christianity within the slave owner, and the action slaves should take.

     The third part of the book, Judgement Day, is when the actual rebellion occurs. The first target against the white man was the Travis farm, where Cherry, Nat's wife, was currently working as a slave. They were armed with axes and moved closer to the house. The other slaves rebels insisted that Nat the "Prophet" and the "Black Messiah" should take the first swing. Nat made his way to the bedroom and chopped Joseph Travis' head off. However in rage another slave started thrashing Sally, the wife, as well along with two other

Nathanial “Nat” Turner was born in 1800. He was a black American slave who led the only effective, sustained slave rebellion in U.S. history. This rebellion occurred on August 1831. He spread terror throughout the white South. His action set off a new wave of oppressive legislation prohibiting the education, movement, and assembly of slaves. This stiffened pro-slavery convictions in that region until the Civil

“My father and mother strengthen me, and this was my first impression of life saying in my presence, I was intended for some great purpose (Nat turner, Brainyqoute.com)”. From the very beginning Nat Turner knew that he was meant to do something great. On the day of October 2, 1800 the famous Nat turner was born to Nancy Turner his father an unknown slave. Turner grew up with the thought that his father was an escaped slave and was coming back when he got the money to retrieve him and his mother. Nat turner grew up and lived his life in Southampton County, Virginia. The place was predominantly African- American but it didn’t stop the use of slavery in the county.

In 1825 he had a vision of a bloody conflict between black and white spirit. Three years later he had another vision he believed was from God. In one of his confession he explained "the Spirit instantly appeared to me and said the Serpent was loosened, and Christ had laid down the yoke he had borne for the sins of men, and that I should take it on and fight against the Serpent. " He waited on another sign of when to strike, God telling him "I should arise and prepare myself and slay my enemies with their own weapons."( Biography.com). With all these signs and visions that he received, led him to orchestrate the bloodiest slave revolt in history.

Reading the bible is where Nat received many of his callings to start his massive slave

The book educates readers on the difficult life slaves had in America during the 1800’s and the life of Nat Turner and the rebellion he lead. The book focuses on Nat’s life and the adversities as well as challenges slaves had to go through to survive. The psychological effects slaves had for the fault of the system they were unjustly born into or put in, affected their decision making every day; either by making them obey their masters or fight for their freedom and die, rather than continue living as a slave. In the case of Nat Turner, life as a slave caused him to lead a rebellion whose sole purpose was to kill all of the white people who lived in Southampton County, Virginia, and its surrounding areas. Unfortunately, Nat’s rebellion is what caused his death.

In 1821, Nat had decided to run away from his master and to live as a fugitive. While on the run, he met his future wife, Cherry, who was also a slave that was working on the Turner's farm. As time went by, after 30 days has passed Nat had returned to the plantation on his own freewill. Because of his return "Nat said, "the reason of my return was, that the Spirit appeared to me and said I had wishes directed to the things of this world, and not to the Kingdom of Heaven, and that I should return to the service of my earthly master" " (Goldman 60). With his return, Nat went unpunished and was returned to his daily work.

of the slaves could read or write, yet Nat knew how. The master did not overlook Nat’s literacy and

The book “American Slavery 1619-1877” is a book on slavery unlike anything I have ever read. Most books on slavery look at it through extremely common perspectives and have flooded the nonfiction genre. However, the author, Peter Kolchin, decides to show the reader that his studies on slavery are different from any previous study done. He brings up a lot of arguments that were actually thought to be unarguable, and shuts them down. It is miraculous to think that someone finally got to the very root of American slavery and can finally give Americans of today a real feel for the reasons behind slavery.