RESISTANCE AND REBELLION

Slaves who lived in the South during the mid 19^th century showed their resistance in subtle and creative ways, no doubt due to their awareness of past failed rebellions and their tragic consequences.

Slave codes, which placed severe restrictions on the slaves and prevented them from organizing in large groups, resulted from the fear of the whites, who knew they couldn’t maintain successful plantations without slave labor. By keeping the slaves poor, isolated and uneducated, they felt they could prevent rebellions ("Antebellum slavery," n.d.). Many slaves had great faith in God and believed that their freedom would eventually come, so they stayed and made the best of their oppressive circumstances on the plantations.

Grossly outnumbered by whites who believed in slavery, slaves usually refrained from participating in outright rebellions (“Resistance and Rebellion”, 2009). While they feared their masters and the white community in general, they managed to make their feelings known in a somewhat passive-aggressive fashion. By working slowly, pretending to be ill or stupid, breaking tools or setting fires, seemingly obedient slaves had a powerful impact on the plantations ("Antebellum slavery," n.d.). But, by acting out in less obvious ways, they did not the risk severe punishment or death.

Of the rebellions that did take place, Nat Turner’s is one of the most infamous. He was a young slave who believed he should “arise and prepare myself and slay my enemies with their own weapons"("Africans in America/Part 3/Nat Turner's Rebellion," n.d., para 3). Turner led the rebellion that resulted in hundreds of whites’ deaths, and the deaths and/or capture of the slaves who participated in the revolt. Innocent slaves were also punished or killed. Much harm resulted from this uprising, even though it initially seemed to have a small measure of success. Certainly the horrible outcome would not encourage other slaves to revolt any time soon. Nat Turner and many other escapees were executed (“Africans in America”).  

Individual slaves who stand out in history took extra risks, found their freedom, and helped others without bloodshed. Harriet Tubman, an amazingly courageous woman, used the “underground railroad” to liberate many of her people by taking them to the North under the cover of darkness. The “railroad” was a network of safe houses where fleeing slaves could rest during their long and difficult journeys from the upper South to the free North ("Harriet Tubman," n.d.). Frederick Douglas became a famous and eloquent anti-slavery spokesman after he obtained his freedom and moved to the Northeast (“Resistance and Rebellion”, 2009). More good was done with these methods than through rebellions. Hundreds safely traveled the “underground railroad” to precious freedom.  (Lori G.)
These brief paragraphs only give a person a glimpse of this unique time in history. It's hard for American citizens today to imagine living during the time of plantations and slavery because so many knew so few freedoms.  But, it's important to never forget the history of our country and what these people of this era had to endure for us to know the freedom we do.