Gabriel's Rebellion tells the dramatic story of what was perhaps the most extensive slave conspiracy in the history of the American South. Douglas Egerton illuminates the complex motivations that underlay two related Virginia slave revolts: the first; in 1800; led by the slave known as Gabriel; and the second; called the 'Easter Plot;' instigated in 1802 by one of his followers. Although Gabriel has frequently been portrayed as a messianic; Samson-like figure; Egerton shows that he was a literate and highly skilled blacksmith whose primary goal was to destroy the economic hegemony of the 'merchants;' the only whites he ever identified as his enemies. According to Egerton; the social; political; and economic disorder of the Revolutionary era weakened some of the harsh controls that held slavery in place during colonial times. Emboldened by these conditions; a small number of literate slaves--most of them highly skilled artisans--planned an armed insurrection aimed at destroying slavery in Virginia. The intricate scheme failed; as did the Easter Plot that stemmed from it; and Gabriel and many of his followers were hanged. By placing the revolts within the broader context of the volatile political currents of the day; Egerton challenges the conventional understanding of race; class; and politics in the early days of the American republic.
#1699909 in Books DeVore Donald E 2015-02-18 2015-02-18Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.00 x 6.25l; .0 #File Name: 0807160377280 pagesDefying Jim Crow African American Community Development and the Struggle for Racial Equality in New Orleans 1900 1960
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy orlandez PierreThis is a must read0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The Struggle for racial equality in New Orleans; a must readBy Timothy E. MasseyNew Orleans has always been a town not known for its racism. At the outbreak of the Civil War an all-Black Confederate unit; called the New Orleans Guard was organized. New Orleans like most Southern states had been more inclusive of is free Black population than in the north. As reconstruction faded and the old governments’ settled back into power; the Jim Crow laws began to take effect. In some areas this was more of a retaliation measure; however; it did reflect long understood policies in the more racist north.Blacks in New Orleans felt these laws designed to relegate them to second class citizenship; was neither legitimate nor permanent. They had been an initial part of the community that was mostly color blind before the war. With Union occupation and they saw their rights slowly eroded away as free men of color and former slaves were for the first time cast into the same lot.Defying Jim Crow tells the story of this community’s decades-long struggle against segregation; disenfranchisement; and racial violence. It tells of their struggle to return to the rights; at least enjoyed by free Blacks before the war. While exclusion and violence mounted in the years that followed they held on to the belief that all men are created equal and that they too would see the trends of oppression reversed. They sought the end; by remaining a tight knit and politically energized community. They had one weapon they had not had; ad that was the right to vote; they could invest in education; join national organizations; and support their own communities Black businesses.Activists worked within the framework of the laws dealt them to bring understanding to the community and to cast a foundation that brought challenges to; and change to a racist law system. This framework proved to be a model in a city full of diversity and ethnicity. Though race relations and insightful community building; New Orleans overcame the had dealt them; and is still a model in the American struggle for freedom.
