Nat Turner: The Slave Rebellion

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.

The legendary abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass was one of the most important social reformers of the nineteenth century. Being born into slavery on a Maryland Eastern Shore plantation to his mother, Harriet Bailey, and a white man, most likely Douglass’s first master was the starting point of his rise against the enslavement of African-Americans. Nearly 200 years after Douglass’s birth and 122 years after his death, The social activist’s name and accomplishments continue to inspire the progression of African-American youth in modern society. Through his ability to overcome obstacles, his strive for a better life through education, and his success despite humble beginnings, Frederick Douglass’s aspirations stretched his influence through

The Southampton Tragedy dubbed him as “a dreamer of dreams and a would –be Prophet, he used all the arts familiar to such pretenders, to trick, confuse and overwhelm the slave minds”(The SouthHamp…). Keep in mind this is a very biased view from a perspective of the slave state Virginia, additionally this article expresses their bitterness towards turners rebellion because it was purposely to hinder their economy. A Northern document from the American Beacon investigated that “He (Nat Turner) acknowledges himself a coward and says he was actuated to do what he did” (American Beacon). I find this document shows a more understanding of his side, although the interviewer has a different opinion towards his actions. Notice how they say “he acknowledges”, meaning he knows his rebellion was foolish and a coward attempt.

Lizzie has lived with the fear of hatred of racism through her whole life. So she knew that the townspeople would not approve of them living together. Due to the fact that Turner has not experienced racism before, his knowledge and understanding of racism are limited. Both Turner and Lizzie are hated by the people on Phisppburg but because Turner is white and Lizzie is black, their different life experiences result in their different understanding of racism. Racism continues in America even today.

Stephen B. Oates writes about a slave named Nat Turner, who led a rebellion against slavery in the book “The Fires of Jubilee”. Turner was born on October 17, 1800 in Southampton County, Virginia. His mother Nancy was bought by a man named Benjamin Turner in 1795 and was transported to America. Nat’s father was never named, but was married to Nancy.

The journeys up to the north were horrendous. The routes held many challenges. Common challenges were weather, pro slavery white people, they risked getting shot, and worst they could be captured(Doc. 2). Lots of antislavery leaders, like Frederick Douglass, wrote editorials on the subject and held peaceful protests against it. Frederick Douglass was an African American man who was against slavery from the start.

Paper Topic 1 After reading Confessions of Nat Turner (1831) in the course packet, and watching the film Birth of a Nation (2016) I was able to notice some key takeaways and differences between the two. The film Birth of a Nation was directed by Nate Parker, he also played the main role in the film acting as Nat Turner.

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”).

His actions also enacted even harsher laws against slaves in the south. His bloody rebellion also helped inspire the abolitionist movement in the north. Turner could be considered both as a hero and villain. Nat Turner was used as an example of African Americans standing up against white oppression. His actions help prove that African Americans are not to be enslaved and reckoned

Discuss why and how the Nat Turner Revolt changed American history? Nat Turner, a slave that changed American History though his beliefs and vision of whites and African Americans fighting. Back in history the thought of white and African Americans battling were uncalled of because African Americans were slaves and suppose to be scared of the white folks. Nat Turners vision drove many slaves including himself to rebel against the white people; they called this the revolt. Many slaves set out on the night of August 20th, 1831, gathering weapons and supplies to kill the people.

In the narrative of The Fires of Jubilee: Nat Turner’s Fierce Rebellion by Stephen B. Oates is a picturesque and skillful narrative about the revolution of slaves fighting back. Nat Turner was a very always seen as a leader, respectful, hardworking and mentioned as “The Prophet” and uniquely smart to be an African American in this time period. As the black race, slaves and free blacks, they were tired of being treated as chattel and afraid to live to their true abilities. It is time for a change to happen and this is where the rebellion begins. Nat’s rebellion showed slaves and white race when the first should be last and the last should be first; it was time for a change, a revolution.

Many African American authors and critics very strongly disagreed with how the white plantation owners and the slaves were portrayed in the book. For example Nat Turner’s first slave owner, Samuel Turner, was presented in very high light. This was probably not the case, and that is the reason it enraged so many readers. The book was also banned in some places because of the sexual violence that was portrayed in the novel. Before I get into the book itself it is important to know about the actual person who was Nat Turner and the rebellion that he led in 1831.

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.

In this short summary of a book, Oates, make sure that the reader understands how intelligent Turner really is. Turner read mostly the Bible, any chance he could. Now Turner did read other things, but the Bible allowed him to see that white people, trying to justify that slavery was right, were in fact wrong. The Bible also showed him stories of people that had been captured and later fought and were liberated from being enslaved, or held captive. This influence is what later led Turner to his rebellion.

The white people viewed slaves as sub-human, and a black woman who was mentally superior was not something they would have encountered before. Dana explains what Margaret, Tom’s wife, may have been feeling; “I don’t think Margaret likes educated slaves any better than her husband does…. He can barely read and write. And she’s not much better” (Butler 82).