Stono Rebellion Research Paper

Another factor that was very influential in starting the Stono rebellion was Spain’s offer of freedom for any slaves who made it to Florida. Spain offered freedom and land to any slave that could escape to saint Augustine from the British colonies. This was Spain’s attempt to destabilize the British colonies. In many ways this was successful because once African American slaves heard the story of Fort Mose, which was a free black colonization in Spanish Florida, they began to runaway in attempt to gain freedom. Many African Americans saw the proposal of freedom from Spain as their way out of slavery and the cruel system they were living in. In many ways this proposal of freedom from Spain caused uprisings such as the Stono rebellion. This is …show more content…
Such plans as the Stono rebellion cause groups of African Americans to head toward freedom in Spanish Florida knowing that they all may not make it before they are discovered. Regardless of the possible death they would face, this group of twenty African American slaves headed for Florida killing many white slave owners on their way to freedom. Without the possibility of obtaining freedom in Florida, many of these slaves would have been more reluctant to participate in the uprising because they would eventually be caught. A primary source document that discusses this issue is a letter written from Governor Bull to the Royal Council in 1739 stating “…our affairs in regard to the desertion of our Negroes who are encouraged to it by a certain Proclamation published by the King of Spain’s Order at St. Augustine, declaring freedom to all Negroes who should Desert hither from the British Colonies; since which several parties have deserted and are there openly received and protected; many attempts of others have been discovered and prevented” This quote from Governor Bull shows how many people during this time believed Spain’s promise of freedom was one of the main reasons slaves were showing resistance and

Show More

Related Documents: Stono Rebellion Research Paper

Stono Rebellion Research Paper