Remembering the Victims of Slavery: 10 Organized Rebellions in History

Rapper J. Cole led a rebellion in his latest music video.

J. Cole Leads Revolt in ‘G.O.M.D.’ - March 25 is International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The gruesome journey claimed the lives of millions of Africans and led the survivors to an oppressive world of chattel slavery. Many died, but others chose to rebel against their masters by running away or killing them. Rapper J. Cole’s latest music video, "G.O.M.D," takes the viewer back into the antebellum South as he plays a house slave who leads a revolt on a plantation. BET.com takes a look at real-life slave rebellions.  — Natelege Whaley (@Natelege_) (Photo: Roc Nation)

1 / 11

J. Cole Leads Revolt in ‘G.O.M.D.’ - March 25 is International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The gruesome journey claimed the lives of millions of Africans and led the survivors to an oppressive world of chattel slavery. Many died, but others chose to rebel against their masters by running away or killing them. Rapper J. Cole’s latest music video, "G.O.M.D," takes the viewer back into the antebellum South as he plays a house slave who leads a revolt on a plantation. BET.com takes a look at real-life slave rebellions.  — Natelege Whaley (@Natelege_) (Photo: Roc Nation)

1526: The First Documented Rebellion - One hundred enslaved Africans acted out the first slave rebellion in America at a town settlement founded by Spanish explorer Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon near the Pedee River in South Carolina. When Ayllon died, the settlement became unstable. The enslaved took their chances and killed their masters. The survivors were then able to return to the island of Hispaniola in December 1526, according to SlaveRebellion.org.   (Photo: Rischgitz/Getty Images)

2 / 11

1526: The First Documented Rebellion - One hundred enslaved Africans acted out the first slave rebellion in America at a town settlement founded by Spanish explorer Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon near the Pedee River in South Carolina. When Ayllon died, the settlement became unstable. The enslaved took their chances and killed their masters. The survivors were then able to return to the island of Hispaniola in December 1526, according to SlaveRebellion.org.   (Photo: Rischgitz/Getty Images)

1691: Mingoe Leads Virginia Uprising - Mingoe was the leader of the “maroon raiders” in Middlesex County, Virginia, according to Black Movements in America by Cedric J. Robinson. The group escaped enslavement and raided a plantation for guns and cattle. Mingoe was captured and tried in court for the crime. (Photo: MPI/Getty Images)

3 / 11

1691: Mingoe Leads Virginia Uprising - Mingoe was the leader of the “maroon raiders” in Middlesex County, Virginia, according to Black Movements in America by Cedric J. Robinson. The group escaped enslavement and raided a plantation for guns and cattle. Mingoe was captured and tried in court for the crime. (Photo: MPI/Getty Images)

1711: Slave Revolt in South Carolina - A maroon leader named Sebastian caused enough trouble for authorities and the Governor of the South Carolina colony in 1711 that people feared for their lives, according to Slavery in the United States by Junius P. Rodriguez. The group raided plantations. The rebel community inspired a spirit of resistance among slaves in the colony until Sebastian was killed by an Indian hunter.  (Photo: Universal History Archive/Getty Images)

4 / 11

1711: Slave Revolt in South Carolina - A maroon leader named Sebastian caused enough trouble for authorities and the Governor of the South Carolina colony in 1711 that people feared for their lives, according to Slavery in the United States by Junius P. Rodriguez. The group raided plantations. The rebel community inspired a spirit of resistance among slaves in the colony until Sebastian was killed by an Indian hunter.  (Photo: Universal History Archive/Getty Images)

1712: Enslaved Africans Plan Uprising in NYC - By 1712, New York City had a large population of African slaves who lived in close proximity to each other in the southern region of Manhattan. After a midnight meeting, a group of approximately 30 slaves went out on April 6, 1712, and set a building on fire and then attacked several whites. The slaves were armed with guns, hatchets and swords, PBS.org writes. Soldiers captured the rebels and 21 were executed. Six, including a pregnant woman, were pardoned.  (Photo: MPI/Getty Images)

5 / 11

1712: Enslaved Africans Plan Uprising in NYC - By 1712, New York City had a large population of African slaves who lived in close proximity to each other in the southern region of Manhattan. After a midnight meeting, a group of approximately 30 slaves went out on April 6, 1712, and set a building on fire and then attacked several whites. The slaves were armed with guns, hatchets and swords, PBS.org writes. Soldiers captured the rebels and 21 were executed. Six, including a pregnant woman, were pardoned.  (Photo: MPI/Getty Images)

ADVERTISEMENT
1739: The Stono Slave Rebellion - The Stono Slave Rebellion was the largest before the American Revolution. On Sept. 9, 1739, 20 slaves gathered near the Stono River in St. Paul’s Parish, South Carolina, killed two store owners and took ammunition. The group, led by an Angolan named Jemmy, eventually grew into about 100 as they made their way South to Florida, where they had heard some slaves found freedom. They went on to kill at least 20 whites. As word spread of the rebellion, a mob of 100 whites found the escapees and a shootout led to the death of 30 slaves. Those who were captured were executed. The uprising led to more strict laws against slaves, including taking away their right to learn to read.  (Photo: Universal History Archive/Getty Images)

6 / 11

1739: The Stono Slave Rebellion - The Stono Slave Rebellion was the largest before the American Revolution. On Sept. 9, 1739, 20 slaves gathered near the Stono River in St. Paul’s Parish, South Carolina, killed two store owners and took ammunition. The group, led by an Angolan named Jemmy, eventually grew into about 100 as they made their way South to Florida, where they had heard some slaves found freedom. They went on to kill at least 20 whites. As word spread of the rebellion, a mob of 100 whites found the escapees and a shootout led to the death of 30 slaves. Those who were captured were executed. The uprising led to more strict laws against slaves, including taking away their right to learn to read.  (Photo: Universal History Archive/Getty Images)

1767: Smaller Towns Saw Resistance as Well - An unknown amount of slaves revolted against their overseers in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1767. When their actions were discovered, they were executed and their heads were hung from the town courthouse, the Boston Chronicle wrote in a 1768 issue.  (Photo: Universal History Archive/Getty Images)

7 / 11

1767: Smaller Towns Saw Resistance as Well - An unknown amount of slaves revolted against their overseers in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1767. When their actions were discovered, they were executed and their heads were hung from the town courthouse, the Boston Chronicle wrote in a 1768 issue.  (Photo: Universal History Archive/Getty Images)

1803: Blacks Plan Revolt After Ruling - Margaret Bradley, a Black woman, was convicted in York, Pennsylvania, for attempting to poison her master. When word reached the other Blacks in the town, a group broke out and set buildings on fire. Twenty were convicted of arson. Stricter laws were then imposed on Blacks following the uprising. (Photo: Three Lions/Getty Images)

8 / 11

1803: Blacks Plan Revolt After Ruling - Margaret Bradley, a Black woman, was convicted in York, Pennsylvania, for attempting to poison her master. When word reached the other Blacks in the town, a group broke out and set buildings on fire. Twenty were convicted of arson. Stricter laws were then imposed on Blacks following the uprising. (Photo: Three Lions/Getty Images)

1811: The Charles Deslondes Slave Revolt - On Jan. 8, 1811, Charles, a 31-year-old slave on the Deslondes plantation in Louisiana began a rebellion by killing the son of Colonel Andry at the Andry plantation, an arsenal for the local military. They set five plantations on fire along the Mississippi River and gained more slaves with each stop. The slaves killed two slave owners, destroyed three plantations and made it 25 miles south before they were stopped by a militia dispatched by Governor William C. C. Claiborne on Jan. 10. Some slaves were able to flee into the swamps while others were captured and returned to their masters. Others fought the militia. Charles was caught and was executed at the Andry plantation.  (Photo Reproduction: Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images)

9 / 11

1811: The Charles Deslondes Slave Revolt - On Jan. 8, 1811, Charles, a 31-year-old slave on the Deslondes plantation in Louisiana began a rebellion by killing the son of Colonel Andry at the Andry plantation, an arsenal for the local military. They set five plantations on fire along the Mississippi River and gained more slaves with each stop. The slaves killed two slave owners, destroyed three plantations and made it 25 miles south before they were stopped by a militia dispatched by Governor William C. C. Claiborne on Jan. 10. Some slaves were able to flee into the swamps while others were captured and returned to their masters. Others fought the militia. Charles was caught and was executed at the Andry plantation.  (Photo Reproduction: Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images)

/content/dam/betcom/images/2012/06/National-06-01-06-15/061312-national-black-history-denmark-Vesey.jpg

10 / 11

1822: Denmark Vesey Revolt - Denmark Vesey, a freed Black, was planning what would have been one of the largest slave revolts in U.S. in 1822, before a slave revealed the plan to his master. Vesey, along with 1,000 freed and enslaved Africans, planned to seize Charleston, South Carolina, and kill all whites and those in authority. Some sources say his plan involved a total of 9,000 Blacks in the region. Vesey, who was born in St. Thomas, West Indies, was brought to America as property of Captain Vesey, whom he traveled with between Haiti and Charleston for 20 years. He bought his freedom in an auction in 1800 and became a successful carpenter and influential preacher in the region. It is not certain whether the planned uprising was a conspiracy or was really planned. But it was enough fear for the authorities to arrest 131 people and execute Denmark Vesey and 37 others.  ...

Nat Turner Slave Rebellion - One of the most widely known slave revolt leaders was Nat Turner, who was born on Oct. 2, 1800, in Southampton County, Virginia. Throughout his life, Turner had visions leading up to planning a revolt. In one particular vision, he “heard a loud noise in the heavens” that he should “fight against the Serpent” when he received his first sign. In February 1831, he saw an eclipse of the sun and believed this was the sign he was waiting for to carry out his plans. He organized with four other slaves, Henry, Hark, Nelson and Sam. The final sign was when Turner saw the sun transform to a bluish-green color. At 2:00 a.m. on Aug. 21, 1831, they killed the family of his master’s household. They then set out on horseback, eventually gathering a group of 40 and killing at least 55 white people. Turner was eventually found on Oct. 30 before he was sentenced and e...

11 / 11

Nat Turner Slave Rebellion - One of the most widely known slave revolt leaders was Nat Turner, who was born on Oct. 2, 1800, in Southampton County, Virginia. Throughout his life, Turner had visions leading up to planning a revolt. In one particular vision, he “heard a loud noise in the heavens” that he should “fight against the Serpent” when he received his first sign. In February 1831, he saw an eclipse of the sun and believed this was the sign he was waiting for to carry out his plans. He organized with four other slaves, Henry, Hark, Nelson and Sam. The final sign was when Turner saw the sun transform to a bluish-green color. At 2:00 a.m. on Aug. 21, 1831, they killed the family of his master’s household. They then set out on horseback, eventually gathering a group of 40 and killing at least 55 white people. Turner was eventually found on Oct. 30 before he was sentenced and e...