Fires of Jubilee- Nat Turner’s Fierce Rebellion

August 21, 1861 turn bulge out to be a mean solar day of sorrow, pain and lessons learned. The Fires of Jubilee is a historical account of the every the samets that led to the bloodiest striver confusion in secondern chronicle. Nat Turner is painted as a fairly intelligent and prophetic break one(a)s natural covering who call upd he was chosen to bighearted his people from their striver bond be on. Nats anarchy last al well-nigh cardinal whole days before being halted by militia men from the state of North Carolina, loss upwards of 50 sportings murdered in the aftermath. Although it took most conviction to climby accomplish, the rebellion of Nat Turner at last led to the stilling of the slaves some years later.The hi layer of the south and slaves was perpetually changed by the events of the rebellion. Nat Turners diagnose will forever be a symbol of gloomy terror and violet retaliation and at the same sentence, a legendary black hero. In the Old South, it w as mute that Christianity was non yet used to save heathen souls, scarcely in like bitner to keep the slaves suppressed and kept them from striking back against their get the hang. (Page 14) Southern duster slave owners would pick and look at simply certain bible lessons for the slaves to be shown.The owners matt-up that by restricting the cognition of the slaves, they would be adequate to keep them inhibited. Words of the bible were twisted to nasty assorted things to the slave population. Slaves were told that if they did non obey their know and perform their al groupted tasks that God would burn them in the flames of an eternal hell. To be good children of God the slaves were to strike their lot, be meek and faithful, patient and submissive, even if their masters were cruel. Slaves were taught to leave it to God to punish.And if they be squanderd great would be their fix in heaven. Page 14) Nat Turner was a real special slave. From a very young age it was obvio us that Nat was intelligent and others around him knew it. People around Nat always thought he would grow up to be a prophet. He was like a powerful angel whose wings were nailed to the floor. (Page 69) As Nat grew cured he also grew in his faith, he believed himself to be in full favor of God. He prayed occasional and spent time in devotion and self-denial to his heavenly father. In an attempt to gain more following Nat performed a baptism in the river of a white man.The result was non as he hoped, except it only helped to push him closer to his God. Nat began having visions for a time before the rebellion came into full plan. His visions were often bloody(a) and violent, being described as blacks and whites fighting in battled under a darkened sky darn thunder rolled in the heavens. Rivers of blood flowed free about and voices spoke from heaven saying much(prenominal) is your luck, such you are c eached to see, and let it come crude(a) or smooth, you must surely bare i t. Nat was enthralled by these visions and prayed fervently for a revelation.After some time had passed, the Spirit called out to Nat from the heavens saying descry me as I stand in the heavens. Nat looked up and saw the saviors hands stretched forth from east to west, even as they were on the cross on calvary for the redemption of sinners. (Page 36) Slave owners and others around town both passed Nat off as crazy or patently did non bother to believe him because he was not an ordained minister. In his own way, Nat was one of the most renowned prophets of his day. He was revered and rely by m all fellow slaves.Nat also claimed to thrust powers of ameliorate and such. Several men became close confidents of Nat. He had full trust and confidence in his lieutenants as he called them. Four men Hark Travis, Nelson Williams, Jack Reese and bulge out-to-air missile Edwards were Nats leading men in the rebellion. They were credideucerthy for some things but spent a lot of time spreading discontent within the slave communities keeping them ready and on edge at any moment for the rebellion to begin. Nats lieutenants did not know a specific plan he was quite secretive about the dates and flesh out skirt the rebellion.One of Nats visions gave him the final push he necessitate to bring the plan into full swing. At one point, a black spot appeared on the surface of the sun, for Nat this symbolized a black hand over the sun. This was his take that God wanted him to rise up against his white enemies. Jehovah was commanding Nat to rise and move. Nats trusted generals stayed by his side as this drive back happened without warning. The ferocity raged on for more than twenty four hours. some were left dead and dismembered in the aftermath.The consequences of the rebellion were very well known in the state and county. spry consequences were obviously the incapacitated lives of the fifty-something whites. Many other slaves lost their lives as the militia began to fight and shut raven Nats group. The entire county and state was on watchful for any suspicious activity coming from any slaves. There was no way to tell if this was fair the etymon or the ending. Rumors spread quickly passim the state that Nats rebellion was only the number one and that many other slaves outside of his county were planning to sedition as well.These rumors proved to not be professedly, but because the residents of the state were on high alert, many innocent, free blacks and slaves were killed simply for being suspicious. There were trials and hangings publicly in Virginia and North Carolina. The lives lost due to this rebellion went far-off beyond the men and women killed on the first two days by Nat and his crew. Eventually emancipationists were commoved for the rebellion because of their provocative material on flyers and in articles that were in circulation. Many whites believed that the reason for Nats rebellion was because of utter flyers.No evid ence has ever been found showing knowledge of the flyers being associated with Nat. It has come to be known that the true reason is because of Nats visions and callings from God however whites did not want to believe that their God would allow this to happen. On a nationwide level the consequences began to affect many in the north as well. Abolitionists were to blame for all of these difficultys according to southern whites. Some of the more famous ones such as William Lloyd Garrison and Issac Knapp boldly give tongue to that slaves should be freed presently.They were believers that Negros deserved life, liberty and the pursuit of bliss just like white people. (Page 129) Many southerners did not agree with the abolitionists stands on slavery, in fact a vigilance association in South Carolina offered a $1,500 reward for any agitator convicted of distributing any of the abolitionist flyers or documents. No matter what anyone said, Southerners became increasingly zealous afte r the rebellion looking for someone to blame for Nats stand other than themselves. Things became increasingly remote towards abolitionists in the weeks and months after Nats revolt.Many in the south blamed the Yankees and made it difficult for people to behave freedom of speech. (Page 135) Liberation of the slaves seem to be the only way to guarantee no further uprisings or revolts from the slaves but it was not easy to convince all of the whites of that. After all, they still had much usage to be done on their farms and other items needed tend to on their plantations. Many southerners increasingly proclaimed that slavery was an institution and a positive and unequivocal good, condoned by the bible and ordained by God from the beginning of time. Page 143)A senator from Washington, John C. Calhoun made several statements on the subject of slavery. He went on to justify slavery on historical grounds insisting that in that respect never has yet existed a wealthy and civilised bon ton in which one portion of the connection did not, in point of fact, live on the motor of the other. (Page 143) There were many other reasons for not immediately freeing the slaves, on a nationwide level, many in the north were afraid that a theme freeing would cause a rush of pertly free African Americans to rush into northern states.Much inquiry and planning was put into the writing of The Fires of Jubilee. Reading the volume it is hard to get a thumb for on the button what Stephen B. Oates feelings are on slavery and the rebellion. This rule volume has forever changed my opinion on slavery. I have analyze about slavery as much as any other college student that is not a history major. Before reading this book, I knew and understood basic events leading up to the emancipation proclamation. This story seems so personal. You really get to know Nat on a personal level.As a Christian myself, I can relate with Nat on wanting to be close to God. I have never had a prophetic v ision but I believe it when others tell me of their experiences. I do not feel Nat was right by revolting the way he did but then again, I have never been in his shoes being suppressed by others around me. Nat was a very strong, god fearing man and I believe he felt his revolt was the only way to bring attention to the problem of slavery. Stephen B. Oates does a wonderful job with his descriptions in the novel.The work is very vivid and I can nigh see the pictures in my head playing out like a movie, especially when Nats visions are described. I especially liked the ending chapter in the book when Stephen discusses his get out to the 1973 version of Southampton County. Reading his details makes me want to take a road trip just to see the things he seen for myself. I am not sure what would still be standing over 40 years after this book was written but it seems to be worth the trip. This book has given me a new opinion on slavery and how it affected the world that we live in today. I was not expecting to have such a different view on slavery and oppression at the beginning of this reading assignment. The story was quite cutaneous senses even though there were parts that could have been avoided. Nat Turner will be a name I never forget when it comes to slavery. We still have lasting affects in todays society of slavery. Even though most of the modern day African Americans that exist in my life did not have to deal with slavery, I can take care how they may still be affected by the idea of it.