- Stono Rebellion (1739): One of the earliest major slave revolts in the US, occurred in South Carolina. Enslaved Africans set fire to a plantation, killed several whites, and attempted to escape to Florida, which was under Spanish control and offered freedom to escaped slaves.
- Nat Turner's Rebellion (1831): Led by Nat Turner, a literate and religious enslaved person from Virginia, this rebellion involved the killing of dozens of white plantation owners and their families. It caused significant fear among white Southerners and resulted in increased repression of enslaved communities.
- Gabriel's Rebellion (1800): A planned rebellion in Richmond, Virginia, led by Gabriel Prosser, an enslaved blacksmith. The plot was discovered before it could be executed, and Prosser and other leaders were executed.
2. Maroons:
- Enslaved Africans who escaped and formed independent communities in remote and inaccessible areas. They lived in self-sufficient communities and sometimes raided plantations to acquire supplies. The most famous Maroon community was in the Great Dismal Swamp on the border between Virginia and North Carolina.
3. Underground Railroad:
- A network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved people to escape from the South to free states or Canada. The Underground Railroad involved the assistance of free Black communities, white abolitionists, and sympathizers who provided transportation, shelter, and food to escaping slaves.
4. Resistance through Everyday Acts:
- Enslaved people employed various forms of resistance, including work slowdowns, sabotage, feigned illness, and refusal to obey orders. They preserved their African cultural practices, languages, and traditions as forms of cultural resistance.
5. Legal Challenges:
- Some enslaved people challenged the legality of slavery in court, with the most famous case being Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857). Although the Supreme Court ruled against Scott, these legal efforts brought attention to the injustice of slavery and contributed to the growing movement for abolition.
6. Organizing for Freedom:
- In the decades leading up to the Civil War, enslaved and free Black people formed organizations to advocate for their rights and work towards emancipation. Notable organizations included the American Anti-Slavery Society and the National Negro Convention Movement.