Truth Establishment Institute - The Hidden History of Black Slave Rebellions.

One of the more controversial aspects of the Black struggle involves the history of Black slave resistance in the antebellum South. Many Blacks are unaware that there is a history of violent resistance to plantation owners and uprisings led by those unwilling to peacefully acquiesce and endure passive slavery, suffering and death.

The Stono Rebellion was one of the earliest organized acts of Blacks slave resistance. On September 9, 1739, some 20 Black slaves in South Carolina gathered at the Stono River to plan a march. After marching to the Stono Bridge they seized weapons and ammunition from a store and killed the store's owners. They continued to march south towards Spanish Florida, which was at that time a well known refuge for escaped slaves.

On the way, more insurgents joined them in the rebellion. On the trail, they burned seven plantations and killed 20 Whites. The next day, a mounted militia of slave masters and plantation owners confronted the group of Black slaves. Forty-four of the slaves were killed and the Stono Rebellion was ended. The remaining captured slaves were decapitated and their heads were displayed on posts along the route of the rebellion sending a message to those who would consider planning future uprisings.

Another early episode of Black resistance was the Haitian Revolution which began in 1791. Led by Toussaint L'Ouverture, it ultimately resulted in the formation of the independent Black republic of Haiti. Inspired by the Haitian Revolution, Denmark Vesey planned what would have been one of the largest Black slave rebellions in the U.S. Scheduled to take place on Bastille Day, July 14, 1822, word of a planned rebellion became spread to thousands of Black slaves throughout Charleston, S.C. and along the Carolina coast.

Mr. Vesey and his group of fellow slaves planned to slay their slave masters and seize control of the city of Charleston. They planned to sail to Haiti after the rebellion to escape, however, the plot was leaked to authorities by two Black slaves who disagreed with his plan. The rebellion was over before it began. One-hundred thirty-one Blacks were charged with conspiracy, 67 were convicted and 35 here hanged, including the fearless Vesey.

In 1829, David Walker, a free Black abolitionist wrote a 76-page pamphlet named “David Walker's Appeal.” In his writings called for Black pride and demanded the immediate and complete emancipation of Black slaves. In addition to identifying the causes of Black suffering, he also encouraged violent rebellion as a remedy for Blacks seeking freedom.

Nat Turner was an American slave who led a slave uprising in Southampton County, Virginia. By all historical accounts, it is considered the most remarkable incident of Black resistance to slavery in the antebellum South.

On Feb. 12, 1831, a solar eclipse was seen in Virginia. Nat Turner saw this as a Black man's hand reaching over the sun. This celestial sign was interpreted as meaning that he should make preparations for a slave rebellion. Nat Turner and a few of his trustworthy rebellious fellow slaves had originally planned for July 4^th to be the date of the rebellion, however, after further discussion and deliberation, they postponed the date. On August 13, there was another solar eclipse, which Nat Turner interpreted as the final sign, and on Aug. 21, the uprising began. Black slaves seeking justice went from house to house freeing slaves and killing all White people they encountered. By the end of the rebellion which lasted two days, 57 Whites were killed.

Nat Turner eluded capture by authorities until Oct. 30. On Nov. 5, 1831, Nat was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. He was hanged Nov. 11. After being executed, his corpse was beheaded and his body quartered.

Factual Analysis: The Forgotten History of Black Slave Resistance & Rebellion