NAT TURNERS REBELLION
Who was Nat Turner?
Nat Turner grew up as a slave. He lived his entire life in Southampton County, Virginia. He was highly intellegent and learned how to read and write at a young age. He grew to be deeply religious. He was often seen fasting, praying, or reading the bible. He also had visions he believed to be messages from God. These visions greatly influenced his life. These visions were what led him to rebellion. God told him "Slay my enemies with their own weapons".
What was the Rebellion?
A slave rebellion that took place in Southhampton County, Virginia during August 1831. It was led by Nat turner.It began in 1830, when Joseph Travis purchased Nat Turner. Although Nat's new master was kind and gave him confidence, he awaited God's message. When turner
witnessed a solar eclipse on February 11,1831, he took that as a sign from God to begin the rebellion. He started with just a few trusted slaves, but the insurgency ultimately numbered more than 70 enslaved and free blacks. Some where mounted on hordeback. Rebels traveled house to hhouse freeing slaves and killing all whites who crossed their path. Rebels didn't want to alert anyone so they used knives, hatchets, axes, and blunt instruments instead of muskets or firearms. The group did spare a few homes because Nat believed that poor whites "thought no better of themselves than they did negroes."
witnessed a solar eclipse on February 11,1831, he took that as a sign from God to begin the rebellion. He started with just a few trusted slaves, but the insurgency ultimately numbered more than 70 enslaved and free blacks. Some where mounted on hordeback. Rebels traveled house to hhouse freeing slaves and killing all whites who crossed their path. Rebels didn't want to alert anyone so they used knives, hatchets, axes, and blunt instruments instead of muskets or firearms. The group did spare a few homes because Nat believed that poor whites "thought no better of themselves than they did negroes."
Aftermath
Rebel slaves killed anywhere from 55-65 white people. This was the highest number of deaths fro any uprising in the South. The rebellion was put down in a few days, but Nat Turner survived for two months afterwards. A White farmer, on October 30, discovered him in a hole covered with fence rails, and Turner was then arrested. November 5, 1831 Nat Turner was tried for "conspiring a rebel and making insrrection". Also White people executed, 56 slaves accused of being part of the rebellion. 48 black men and women were tried on charges of conspiracy, insurrection, and treason. Many innocent people were also punished. In a hysterical climate at least 100, possibly 200, slaves were killed by militias and mobs. Also state legislaters passed laws to prohibit education of slaves and free blacks.