Nat Turner- Religious Superstition and Rebellion (Part 1 of 2)

Nat Turner was a slave born into slavery. However, he differed from others because he was very smart and learned how to read and write at a young age. Turner also came from a deeply rooted religious family. They instilled in him at a young age that he was intended for some great purpose (Gates, 1987). Being from a religious family, he too was considered a very religious man. He was so spiritual he believed he had visions and premonitions from God about himself and certain actions he should take. In a vision he had in 1828 he quoted, “I heard a loud noise in the heavens, and the Spirit instantly appeared to me and said the Serpent was loosened, and Christ had laid down the yoke he had borne for the sins of men, and I should take it on and fight against the Serpent. For the time was fast approaching when the first should be last and the last should be first” (Gates, 1987, P. 253). In this quote he is relating himself to Jesus Christ and rationalizing the Serpent as white slave owners.

Remember, Turner thought from a very young age he was intended for something great. Having been born into slavery he knew nothing different, but since he was educated he was able to make logical connections. He was able to connect humanity and slavery together, making it seem absurd that his skin color decided his fate. These reasons were why in 1831, when Turner witnessed a solar eclipse and believed it was a sign from God to rise up and rebel, he accepted this thought willingly. This motivated Turner, who began secretly spreading the word of his planned rebellion. Soon after, six men and Turner gathered to make a plan.

Check in later to find out what happens next; does Nat Turner successfully rebel? If so what happens?

-Savannah

Click here for part two: http://hi360conspiracy.blogspot.com/2018/03/nat-turner-religious-superstition-and.html

Work Cited

 Gates, L. (1987). The Classic Slave Narratives. NY: Penguin Putnam Inc.