According to The University of Dayton School of Law website, there were over 3 million slaves in the United States in 18th century. Until 150 years ago, slaves were existed. One of the famous slaves who fought against slave owners in the United States is Nat Tuner. One of his famous quotes says:
I saw white spirits and black spirits engaged in battle, and the sun was darkened—the thunder rolled in the Heavens, and blood flowed in streams—and I heard a voice saying, “Such is you luck, such you are called to see, and let it come rough or smooth, you must surely bear it”( Nat Turner).
According to Encyclopedia Britannica website, Turner was born on October 2nd 1800 in Southampton country, Virginia, U.S. His ethnicity is African American. His mother was an African native who sent a passionate hatred of slavery to her son. When he was born, he did not have last name. After few days later, his owner gave last name to him.
He spent his life in Southampton, Virginia. At that area, there were much more white people than African American people, so it was very difficult to live for African Americans. On November 11th, 1831, he died. During his life time, he tried to revenge against people, who had slaves because slave owners used slaves like toys. Although he did not have long life times, his wonderful jobs affected many people, especially African American, in the United States. This essay focuses on Nat Turner’s life event, and how changes the country.
One of the most effective his actions which influence in the United States is “Slave Rebellion”. According to Africans in America website, on February, 1831, he gathered members who fought against their slave owners. They tried to think of how to rise in rebellion. On February 12th, 1831, there was an annular eclipse in Virginia. At that time, they thought that it is time to start preparing for rebellion. They decided to rebel on 4th of July, which is the Independence Day in the United States. However, he and his followers got sick. For this reason, it was postponed. On August 13th, 1831, there was a solar eclipse again. They finally decided to rebel on August 21″, 1831. On August 21st, 1831, the rebellion was started. Turner and his followers went to house to house, and they released slaves. After that, they tried to find white people, and they killed 57 white people, including children, with knives and some kind of blunt instruments. However, the revolt was put down within 48 hours.
Turner was not capture immediately. After over the two months, he was found at the cave, and he was arrested. On November 54, 1831, he was tried for rebellion, convicted and sentenced to death. On November 11th, 1831, he was hanged in Jerusalem, Virginia. Moreover, his body was dismembered, and his body parts were souvenirs for white people. After that, people who participated in the rebellion were punished. After that, about 200 African Americans, including people who did not relate to the rebellion were killed by white people who got mad at the rebellion. On January 1st, 1863, Abraham Lincoln, who was the 16th president of the United States, announced the Emancipation Proclamation. On December 18, 1865, the government passed thirteenth amendment to the United States constitution. This amendment in section one says:
[Abolition of slavery)
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
Section two says:
[Power to the enforce this article]
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. After 34years later from Turner was killed, the slavery was completely deleted. His action was a very strong and surprising action, but it made slaves to be stronger and to have a hope. Finally, they were allowed by the United States of the government. In conclusion, Nat Turner affects many people and things, including white people’s mind, African American’s, and The United States constitution. First, when Turner and his followers killed white people’s children, I thought it was so mean because children did not do anything to them. However, African American’s children were worked at the farm, house, and some kind of these places where white people need to help. For this reason, the action of killing children is not really mean. Nat Turner changed the United States because if he did not take an action, the United States might continually have slaves, and they might not be able to live comfortable places. Therefore, his action is very good for nowadays. However, in the world, there are still tremendous numbers of slaves, so the world needs to think about how to eliminate slavery. It is time to change the world, and everyone needs to think about it more.
Nat Turner's Anti-Racism Actions in 19th Century USA. (2021, Dec 25). Retrieved from https://paperap.com/the-various-different-actions-taken-by-nat-turner-against-racism-in-the-united-states-during-the-19th-century/