Acts of Slavery

The act of slavery dehumanized African Americans for centuries. Slave owners often organized patrols what restricted African American travel and gatherings, and controlled who had access to weapons and information. During the 1800’s slaves were tired of being controlled, some took a stand by attempting to forming revolts, which was a problem for the slave owners and the government. The dictionary definition of revolt is “to break away from or rise against constituted authority, as by open rebellion” (http://dictionary.reference.com). Gabriel Prosser, Nat Turner, and Denmark Vesey were three African American slaves who were tried and hung, because they attempted to form revolts against slave masters in order to become free of slavery. These men all sacrificed their life so that others would have the rights to freedom.

Gabriel Prosser an African American slave who was a blacksmith, seeking freedom, and wanting to make his own money. Prosser was sick of seeing slaves being cheated and mistreated, and believed if slaves took a stand and fought for their rights, the poor white people would join them. Prosser was very intelligent strong leader who recruited, and planned what would have been the biggest revolt every planned in the U.S. history. Gabriel recruited free black slaves as well as some white workers in Richmond, and in other counties throughout Virginia. The revolt gathered weapons and began hammering swords out of scythes and molding bullets. When the revolt was scheduled, two slaves from other counties broke under pressure and told their slave owners the plan. As Prosser and his revolt set out to complete their mission, they were captured and Prosser along with others were hung .