The Similarities Between Olaudah Equiano And Jarena Lee

Olaudah Equiano had a much different life than Jarena Lee. As a child, Olaudah Equiano was kidnapped from Africa and sold into slavery. Equiano spent much of his life on warships and trading vessels at sea. Olaudah Equiano was bought and sold numerous times. This is how he gained much experience as a slave. Equiano was bought by a naval captain named Captain Pascal whom he served during naval campaigns in Canada and in the Mediterranean. By extensive trading and saving his earnings, Equiano was able to buy his freedom. In 1776, Equiano became involved in setting up a new plantation colony on the coast of Central America (Smith, 2013). Being a former slave, Equiano did everything in his power to improve the condition of the enslaved people brought

Equiano found employment with the Sierra Leone resettlement project, which was constructed to provide a safe place for freed slaves to work and live (Smith, 2013). This is where he formed the “Sons of Africa.” This group aimed to campaign for abolition through public speaking, letter writing, and lobbying parliament (Smith, 2013). Olaudah Equiano also led a delegation to the House of Commons to support William Dolben’s bill to improve conditions of slave ships (Smith, 2013). The story of his life was considered to be a powerful argument against slavery (Smith, 2013). He published an autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the life of Olaudah Equiano, which recounted his experiences and life as a slave. His autobiography served as one of the first testimonies in the abolition movement (Biography.com). His work began with a petition address to Parliament and ended with an antislavery letter to the Queen (Smith, 2013). Equiano’s book gave his readers a first hand perspective of slavery through the eyes of a former slave. This book made a vital contribution to the abolitionists’ cause and also raised slavery

His rebellion took place in Southampton County, Virginia, in 1831. His rebellion was one of the most bloodiest and effective in US history (Larson, 2004). Turner believed to have a vision of a bloody confrontation between black and white spirits. He also believed that he was receiving messages from God through more visions and signs in nature to lead slaves from bondage (Larson, 2004). A solar eclipse was the final sign Turner received which helped spark the beginning of his rebellion. Turner and his supported began their revolt against white slave owners by killing the Travis family (Larson, 2004). Turner was able to gain more followers and continued his killing spree across the county. His rampage lasted two months. Turner and his followers were eventually captured and sentenced to death by hanging. His actions instilled fear into the heart of southerners, thus ending the organized emancipation movement in that area (Larson, 2004). 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