Nat Turner's Rebellion, 1831
A Document-Based Question
by Jonathan Nash
History 530A, Fall 2003
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Historical Context: During the late 18th and early 19th century,
slave rebellions and revolts were erupting throughout the Western
hemisphere. These rebellions frightened Southerners with the thought that
their slaves might rebel. Their thoughts turned to reality during the
closing days of August 1831 when Turner's Rebellion terrorized the
Virginian countryside. The leader of the rebellion was a slave, Nat
Turner. Turner and a group of forty (40) to sixty (60) slaves slaughtered
many of the white slave-owning families of Southampton County, Virginia.
Turner and his followers killed about fifty-eight (58) whites. Members of
the Virginia militia quickly and brutally ended the rebellion. During the
suppression and aftermath of the rebellion, white Virginians murdered
around two hundred (200) free blacks and slaves. After the rebellion,
Virginians began to rethink and solidify the institution of slavery in
hopes of preventing another rebellion. Turner's Rebellion is important
for
study because it enlightens us not only about the tradition of African
resistance to slavery, but also about Southern antebellum society.
Directions: Carefully examine and read the following seven (7)
documents. Following each document will be questions designed to test
your ability to work with and analyze historical documents. Answer each
of these questions by using the information contained in the document and
your existing knowledge of slavery and antebellum southern society.
Task: Using the documents provided and your own knowledge, explain
what Turner's Rebellion reveals about the institution of slavery, southern
society's view of slaves and slavery, and the African tradition of
resistance to slavery.
Part A: Short Answer Questions
Document 1
"Nat Turner Preaches Religion"
1. What aspects of slave religion does this painting of Nat Turner
portray?
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