This Day in History: Nat Turner Launches Massive Slave Revolt in Virginia (August, 21)
- 2 years ago
This Day in History:, Nat Turner Launches Massive
Slave Revolt in Virginia.
August 21, 1831.
The insurrection occurred in
Southhampton County, Virginia. It was the
largest revolt of enslaved people in U.S. history.
Enslaved himself, Turner was educated and a minister.
He believed he had been called by God
to help others break the bonds of their enslavement.
The revolt began with the killings of
Turner's enslaver, Joseph Travis, and his family.
The initial group of seven revolters rallied to nearly
a hundred, as Turner set off towards Jerusalem, VA. .
The plan was to capture an arsenal there,
and then escape into the surrounding swamp. .
Before the state militia of 3,000 captured
and killed almost all of the insurrectionists,
60 people were killed in the revolt.
Turner eluded capture until October.
He was tried and hanged.
The revolt led to unknown numbers of lynchings,
as well as legislation prohibiting the education and assembly of the enslaved
Slave Revolt in Virginia.
August 21, 1831.
The insurrection occurred in
Southhampton County, Virginia. It was the
largest revolt of enslaved people in U.S. history.
Enslaved himself, Turner was educated and a minister.
He believed he had been called by God
to help others break the bonds of their enslavement.
The revolt began with the killings of
Turner's enslaver, Joseph Travis, and his family.
The initial group of seven revolters rallied to nearly
a hundred, as Turner set off towards Jerusalem, VA. .
The plan was to capture an arsenal there,
and then escape into the surrounding swamp. .
Before the state militia of 3,000 captured
and killed almost all of the insurrectionists,
60 people were killed in the revolt.
Turner eluded capture until October.
He was tried and hanged.
The revolt led to unknown numbers of lynchings,
as well as legislation prohibiting the education and assembly of the enslaved