Enslaved people in the United States used a number of measures to show resistance to a life in bondage. These methods arose after the first group arrived in North America in 1619. The enslavement of African people created an economic system that persisted until 1865 when the 13th Amendment abolished the practice. But before it was abolished, enslaved people had three available methods to resist a life in bondage:
They could rebel against enslavers
, or they could run away
, they could perform small, daily acts of resistance, such as slowing down work
.
Rebellions
The Stono Rebellion in 1739, Gabriel Prosser's conspiracy in 1800, Denmark Vesey's plot in 1822, and Nat Turner's Rebellion in 1831 are the most prominent revolts by enslaved people in American history. But only the Stono Rebellion and Nat Turner's Rebellion achieved any success. White Southerners managed to derail the other planned rebellions before any attack could take place. Many enslavers in the United States became anxious in the wake of the successful revolt by enslaved people in Saint-Domingue (now known as Haiti), which brought independence to the colony in 1804 after years of conflict with French, Spanish, and British military expeditions. Enslaved people in the American colonies (later the United States), knew that mounting a rebellion was extremely difficult. White people greatly outnumbered them. And even in states like South Carolina, where the white population reached only 47% in 1820, enslaved people could not take them on if they were armed with guns. Bringing Africans to the United States to be sold into bondage ended in 1808. Enslavers had to rely on a natural increase in the population of enslaved people to increase their labor force. This meant "breeding" enslaved people, and many of them feared that their children, siblings, and other relatives would suffer the consequences if they rebelled.
Freedom Seekers
Running away was another form of resistance. Most freedom seekers only managed to escape for a short time. They might hide in a nearby forest or visit a relative or spouse on another plantation. They did so to escape a harsh punishment that had been threatened, to obtain relief from a heavy workload, or just to escape life in bondage. Others were able to run away and escape permanently. Some escaped and hid, forming Maroon communities in nearby forests and swamps. When northern states began to abolish enslavement after the Revolutionary War, the North came to symbolize freedom for many enslaved people, who spread the word that following the North Star could lead to freedom.
Explanation: just a few examples but I have more but I rather keep it short. anyway sorry if its wrong, hope it helps and have a good day
