Crash Course Black American History: The Stono Rebellion

Introduction to Resistance

• Enslaved people resisted in various ways, often small and personal:
  • Slowing down work, feigning illness, misplacing tools
  • Larger actions included uprisings and rebellions
• Success of rebellions is subjective and complex

Context of the Stono Rebellion

• Large plantations in South Carolina had a black majority due to high demand for labor
• By 1740, population:
  • 40,000 Black people (⅔ of the population)
  • 20,000 White people
• Security Act (1739): White men required to carry firearms to church
• Spanish in Florida offered freedom to Black people reaching St. Augustine

The Stono Rebellion

• Date: September 9, 1739
• Leader: Enslaved man named Jemmy, possibly from Angola
• Reasons for Sunday uprising:
  • Planters at church, enslaved people unsupervised
• Jemmy and initial group of 20 raided a warehouse for weapons
• Grew to nearly 100 people marching with banners "Liberty"
• Aim: Reach St. Augustine for freedom
• Outcome: Confronted by colonists at Edisto River, 30 rebels killed
• Uncertain fate of Jemmy

Aftermath and Impact

• Selective violence: Some white people spared
• Authorities' response:
  • Blamed Spanish and the offer of freedom
  • Enacted restrictive laws, akin to Slave Codes
  • Illegal for enslaved to read/write
  • Enforced illiteracy to prevent rebellion
  • Misused Christianity for control
• Changes post-rebellion:
  • Imported enslaved people decreased by 90% in 1740s
  • Encouraged European immigration
  • "Improved" treatment of enslaved, penalties for excessive punishment

Legacy

• Stono Rebellion as a symbol of courage and resistance
• Important beyond success: reflects ongoing resistance in history
• Encourages recognition of Black American resistance through history

Additional Notes

• Crash Course produced by Complexly
• Support available through Patreon for continued free access to content