What Are The Motives For The Nat Turner Rebellion

Born on October 2, 1800 in Southampton County, Virginia, Nat Turner was born into slavery. He spent his entire life on Southampton County, where slaves made up most of the population. After interpreted signs that he got from God in 1831, he planned and led a riot against slave owners. He led a group of slaves on a slave rebellion, a rebellion more violent than any other rebellion led by a black person in history. Killing almost any white person seen or encountered, this uprising caused terror across the Southern United States. His religious purposes and the yearn for freedom led to this bloody revolt, triggering changes throughout America; culturally, politically, and economically. Nat Turner’s true motives for the rebellion will

Nat Turner left legacies that made him portray an image that was quickly evolved as more than simply a man who led a slave rebellion. He was “patriotic, future generations will remember him among the noble and brave (Henry Highland Garnet).” He was also “a man who knew no book but the Bible, and that by heart who devoted himself soul and body to the cause of his race (Thomas Wentworth Higginson).” Even before his execution, he represented all that was wrong with slavery and the potential for black justice and liberty. The rebellion marked the turning point in the black struggle for liberation, which eventually led to the Civil War. Not only that, his name eventually became a symbol of terrorism and violent retribution. For almost two centuries, Americans have represented Nat Turner, a hero that affected many greatly, again and again, to reflect their views on slavery and

Although he has left great legacies, the overall affect he had was negative. Politically, the government had to make many decisions regarding laws. The revolt forced the Virginia legislature to openly discuss the idea of emancipation. However, the white politicians at that time decided against emancipations and opted for much harsher slave codes since slaves were needed for the economy. There were also numerous petitions relating to the role of slavery and how blacks would play in the state moving forward. The Virginia General Assembly debated the future of slavery in the state, which also involves cultural impact. They passed legislation making a law for reading and writing illegal to slaves, free black men, and mulattoes. North Carolina restricted all blacks from holding religious meetings without the presence of a licensed white minister. The Alabama Slave Code of 1833 banned slaves from leaving their master without written permission. Slaves were also not permitted to have any types of weapons, unless they were carrying it for their masters and slave owners could not have any slaves who did not belong to them on their property for more than four hours. Additionally, any slave caught planning to rebel would be executed. The fear of rebellions led to Louisiana to carry out additional measures, including a law that required all slaves brought into New Orleans on or after October