Slave Rebellions

Abolitionism as practiced by the slave might properly be called slave rebellion. There were approximately 250 slave rebellions in the U.S., the first of which was in New York City in 1712. The most well-known was led by Nat Turner (depicted, below) in Southampton County, VA. In August 1831 (around the time the abolitionist movement began), Turner led slaves on a revolt that resulted in the death of about 60 whites. Following the suppression of the revolt, Turner and approximately 100 (possibly as high as 200) other Blacks were brutally tortured and murdered in retribution.

Nathaniel "Nat" Turner (1800-1831)