GABRIEL PROSSER
GABRIEL PROSSER
Slave Rebellion in the 1800’s plays a huge role in U.S. history.
On August 30th, a man by the name of Gabriel Prosser was about to
lead one of the biggest slave rebellion acts. In that year, Nat Turner was
born. Him, also being one of the largest slave strikers that led a slave
rebellion. While planning this event, it increased the white’s fear of the
slave population in the South.
Gabriel was
a man who was deeply embedded in religion and was influenced strongly by the biblical
scriptures and believed God had chosen him to lead slaves to their freedom. Gabriel
was the son of an African-born mother, while he was the slave of Thomas H. Prosser.
During the 1800’s, Gabriel’s plans of creating an independent black state in
Virginia, with himself as the leader. His plan consisted of having an attack on
Richmond, VA. There, taking guns, powder, and kill off all whites, except for Frenchmen,
Methodists, and Quakers. While taking this action, Gabriel would have 1,000
slaves meet him across a river from Richmond. His plan was to split up into
three groups and take things from the city in sections, like I said, guns, powder
and other things that were needed.
During the
attack, Governor James Monroe was in office and was told what was going on.
When hearing that, he called upon 650 soldiers to defend their city. A Youtube
interview with Dr. Philip Schwarz, Emeritus Professor of History with VCU and
author of Gabriel’s Conspiracy states
that Gabriel’s intentions were to, “take over the capital, and the governors
mansion. He did not succeed, but he came very close” (Library of Virginia). One of the questions Professor Schwarz has
had in mind is, did they try to ransom the governor?
Governor
Monroe had informed the militia of Gabriel’s people. In that situation, 34 people
and Gabriel were arrested and hung.
The Gabriel Prosser conspiracy has been thought of as one of
the first biggest slave rebellion in the US.
-
Fabian Carlon
Sources:
“Gabriel’s Conspiracy, Capitol, 1 of 9. YouTube, uploaded by LibraryofVa, April 5, 2013,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1URjQVT3kTc
“Slave Rebellion” History
Channel. http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/slavery-iv-slave-rebellions.
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