United States History Student Edition

Spirituals helped enslaved people express joy—but also sadness about their suffering here on Earth. Enslaved people also used spirituals as a kind of code, or a way to communicate secretly

For the most part, enslaved people resisted by working slowly or by pretending to be ill. Sometimes, they might secretly commit acts that undermined a slaveholder, such as setting fire to a plantation building or a field of crops. Enslaved people might also break, steal, or hide equipment, so they would be unable to work. Such acts helped enslaved African Americans cope with their lack of freedom. Even if they were not free, they could strike back at the slaveholders. Some enslaved African Americans considered revolts. Denmark Vesey, a free African American in Charleston, South Carolina, planned an uprising in 1822. His plan failed, however, when supporters betrayed him at the last moment. One actual rebellion was led by Nat Turner. Turner, who had taught himself to read and write, was a popular religious leader among the enslaved people in his area. In 1831, he led a group of followers in an uprising in Southampton County, Virginia. Turner and his followers killed at least 55 whites during the rebellion.

among themselves. Slave Codes

The slave codes , sometimes called black codes or Negro Laws, were laws in the Southern states that controlled enslaved people. Such laws had existed since colonial times. One purpose of the codes was to prevent what white Southerners dreaded most—a slave rebellion. For this reason, slave codes prohibited enslaved people from gathering in large groups. The codes also required enslaved people to have written passes before leaving the slaveholder’s property. The slave codes made teaching enslaved people to read or write a crime. White Southerners feared that an educated enslaved person might start a revolt, and they thought an enslaved person who could not read or write was less likely to rebel. Fighting Back Enslaved African Americans fought against their circumstances, in ways both small and large.

slave codes laws in a Southern state that controlled enslaved people

Nat Turner’s uprising ended quickly when state and federal troops arrived, but Turner was able to elude capture for six weeks after the rebellion ended. This engraving shows his capture on October 30, 1831.

Everett Historical/Shutterstock

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