Slavery

Why slavery? From the earliest parts of colonization in the US until 1865, slavery existed. Why? What was the purpose? What allowed it to continue?

Was it a choice? Kanye West said that because slavery lasted nearly 200 years in America, it must have been a choice. Was it?

What choice did they have? Could enslaved people do anything about their situation? What could have been done? What would you have done?

Resistance and Rebellion Many enslaved people found ways to oppose their situations Work slowdowns Broke tools or set fire to houses and barns Run away Turning on slaveholders – killing them Planned uprisings

Resistance and Rebellion First major slave uprising was in 1800 Organized by Gabriel Prosser, a deeply religious enslaved man Inspired by the Biblical story of the Israelites in Egypt On August 30, 1800 – 1,000 armed enslaved people planned to capture Richmond, VA and kill all white people there A storm forced the group to retreat Governor James Monroe learned of the plot and had all involved captured, Prosser and 34 other leaders were hanged

Resistance and Rebellion In 1822 Denmark Vesey, a free black man, was accused of planning an armed revolt in Charleston, SC It isn’t known if he was actually planning anything Vesey was tried, convicted, and hanged with almost no evidence against him

Resistance and Rebellion On August 22, 1831, Nat Turner, an enslaved minister organizes an uprising Turner and his followers kill more than 50 white people The state and local troops come in to put down the uprising