The Social Climate Leading to Nat Turner’s Insurrection and its Effect in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Prior to August in the year 1831 in the Commonwealth of Virginia words such as “rebellion” and “insurrection” were taboo amongst the black population, both freed and enslaved, that resided within the area. Several slave owners in the Commonwealth of Virginia attributed this to the overall acceptance of both their living conditions and societal positions in comparison to those of whites. However, during the events of Nat Turner’s insurrection that occurred in August of 1831 these ideas were thrown into a turbulent field of controversy as slave owners watched slaves express their emotions in a volatile fashion. The aftermath of Nat Turner’s …show more content…
According to the 1820 Census of the 1,065,379 inhabitants in the Commonwealth of Virginia, approximately 39,889 were free blacks, comprising 3.7% of the population. They acquired freedom through various different ways. Some were born into freedom, some had been deemed free when their owners passed, some had served their owners so well that they were granted freedom, and others saved up money until they were able to purchase their freedom. The free black population, albeit being free, still suffered many stigmas attached to enslaved blacks. They were looked down upon by the white population and often verbally abused. Most lived in conditions that were comparable to those of slaves. Prior to the 1830s the majority of free blacks did not speak publically about the atrocities of slavery nor their opinions on the topic, however this changed with the publication of David Walker’s Appeal. In 1829 Walker published what is considered to be one of the most important and socially disturbing documents of the antebellum period. In four articles, Walker called for the immediate abolition of slavery and the equal rights of black people. He criticizes Christians and highlights their hypocrisy for supporting the institution of slavery, details the inhumanity of slavery itself, criticizes the colonization plan for its inherent racism, and presents an argument that slavery in America is comparably worse …show more content…
Being a literate slave, he formed his own understanding of the words he preached from the Bible believing that God had chosen him to avenge the sins of slavery. As he made his rounds preaching to slaves on the plantation, he also secretly enlisted them to take part in his plan. During the early morning of August 21st, 1831 the insurrection took place in Southampton, Virginia. Nat Turner and his group of men took the controversial matters of slavery into their own hands. That morning, the band of rebels went from home to home killing whites and freeing slaves. The majority of these freed slaves took up arms and joined the insurrection while some fled during the confusion that ensued. The insurrection lasted approximately 36 hours, with casualties including the death of 60 whites. Federal troops were sent to the Commonwealth of Virginia in order to help capture the remaining rebels after the main events of the insurrection subdued. As officials captured the rebels, they were executed, including Nat Turner when he was captured by a farmer on October 30th,
Prior to August in the year 1831 in the Commonwealth of Virginia words such as “rebellion” and “insurrection” were taboo amongst the black population, both freed and enslaved, that resided within the area. Several slave owners in the Commonwealth of Virginia attributed this to the overall acceptance of both their living conditions and societal positions in comparison to those of whites. However, during the events of Nat Turner’s insurrection that occurred in August of 1831 these ideas were thrown into a turbulent field of controversy as slave owners watched slaves express their emotions in a volatile fashion. The aftermath of Nat Turner’s …show more content…
According to the 1820 Census of the 1,065,379 inhabitants in the Commonwealth of Virginia, approximately 39,889 were free blacks, comprising 3.7% of the population. They acquired freedom through various different ways. Some were born into freedom, some had been deemed free when their owners passed, some had served their owners so well that they were granted freedom, and others saved up money until they were able to purchase their freedom. The free black population, albeit being free, still suffered many stigmas attached to enslaved blacks. They were looked down upon by the white population and often verbally abused. Most lived in conditions that were comparable to those of slaves. Prior to the 1830s the majority of free blacks did not speak publically about the atrocities of slavery nor their opinions on the topic, however this changed with the publication of David Walker’s Appeal. In 1829 Walker published what is considered to be one of the most important and socially disturbing documents of the antebellum period. In four articles, Walker called for the immediate abolition of slavery and the equal rights of black people. He criticizes Christians and highlights their hypocrisy for supporting the institution of slavery, details the inhumanity of slavery itself, criticizes the colonization plan for its inherent racism, and presents an argument that slavery in America is comparably worse …show more content…
Being a literate slave, he formed his own understanding of the words he preached from the Bible believing that God had chosen him to avenge the sins of slavery. As he made his rounds preaching to slaves on the plantation, he also secretly enlisted them to take part in his plan. During the early morning of August 21st, 1831 the insurrection took place in Southampton, Virginia. Nat Turner and his group of men took the controversial matters of slavery into their own hands. That morning, the band of rebels went from home to home killing whites and freeing slaves. The majority of these freed slaves took up arms and joined the insurrection while some fled during the confusion that ensued. The insurrection lasted approximately 36 hours, with casualties including the death of 60 whites. Federal troops were sent to the Commonwealth of Virginia in order to help capture the remaining rebels after the main events of the insurrection subdued. As officials captured the rebels, they were executed, including Nat Turner when he was captured by a farmer on October 30th,