AP US History in 1 Minute Daily: Stono Rebellion (Day 29/309)

Welcome to today’s explanation of the Stono Rebellion in my series- APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!

John Rose, The Old Plantation, Wikimedia Commons

As slavery increased, enslaved Africans developed many ways to resist. Despite difficulties, they were sometimes able to continue Islamic or other religious practices, maintain their languages, and incorporate traditional African customs.

Runaway slave advertisement, 1774, National Park Service

Africans typically resisted through covert methods such as working slowly, damaging goods, and running away. However, there were also several overt rebellions including the Stono Rebellion. 

Nancy Christensen, Fort Mose, Tampa Bay Times

Spanish Florida offered freedom to Africans who could get there. In fact, Fort Mose was established as a free African community. In 1739, around 60 enslaved Africans burned buildings and killed whites as they fled for Spanish Florida.

Stono Rebellion, Wikimedia Commons

While some did make it to freedom, the rebellion ended when a battle took place in Stono, South Carolina. It was the largest uprising by enslaved persons before the American Revolution. It led to the increase of Slave Codes, which further restricted the freedoms of enslaved persons.

The Stono Rebellion demonstrated a deliberate effort by enslaved Africans to resist the dehumanizing conditions of slavery. It ultimately led to harsher conditions as whites became ever more fearful of the potential for other rebellions.

Join me tomorrow as I explain Metacom’s War in our next APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!