Nat Turner's Rebellion
- Rosie Jayde Uyola
- Nov 24, 2025
- 4 min read
Target: I can explain the causes and consequences of Nat Turner's Rebellion by analyzing a first-hand account and a description of the new "slave codes."
Key Vocabulary
Rebellion (or Insurrection): An organized and violent uprising where a group of people fights back against the authority in power.
Nat Turner: An enslaved man and preacher in Virginia who believed he was chosen by God to lead a violent rebellion to end slavery in 1831.
Militia: A group of non-professional soldiers (regular citizens) who act as an emergency army to put down a threat, like this rebellion.
Abolitionist: A person who actively worked to end (abolish) slavery in the UnitedS.
"Slave Codes": The new, much stricter laws passed by Southern states after the rebellion, created out of fear to control enslaved and free Black people and prevent future uprisings.
Part 1: Do Now (5 minutes)
Directions: Read the prompt below and write a 5-8 sentence response.
Prompt: What does it mean to 'rebel'? In a detailed paragraph, describe a time from history or a movie/book where a person or group rebelled against a powerful authority. What caused them to rebel, and what were the consequences of their actions? |
Sentence Starter: To 'rebel' means... In the movie/book..., the character... rebelled against... They were caused to rebel because... The consequences of their actions were...
Part 2: Analyzing the Sources
Directions: Analyze the two documents below and then answer the questions that follow.
Source 1: The Confessions of Nat Turner (Adapted Excerpt, 1831)
This is the story Nat Turner told to a white, pro-slavery lawyer named Thomas R. Gray before Turner was executed. We must be critical of it, as Gray may have changed Turner's words.
Original Text | Simplified Text |
"I was told I should surely be a prophet... On the 12th of May, 1828, I heard a loud noise in the heavens... and the Spirit instantly appeared to me and said... I should arise and prepare myself, and slay my enemies with their own weapons... | "I was told I would be a prophet... In 1828, I heard a noise from the sky... and a Spirit appeared and told me... I should get ready and kill my enemies with their own weapons... |
I took my station in the rear, and as it was my object to carry terror and devastation wherever we went, I placed... the best armed and most trustworthy men in front, who generally entered the houses as soon as we came up to them... | I stayed in the back. My goal was to create terror and destruction. I put my 15-20 best-armed men in the front to enter the houses first... |
We proceeded to Mr. Levi Waller's... We broke open the door and killed him... We killed his wife and ten children. | We went to Mr. Levi Waller's house... We broke down the door and killed him... We also killed his wife and ten children. |
...[After the rebellion was stopped and I was hiding] I was taken. I am here loaded with chains, and willing to suffer the fate that awaits me." | ...I was captured. I am now here in chains, and I am ready to accept my punishment." |
Source 2: The New "Slave Codes" (Passed After the Rebellion, 1831-1832)
This is a description of the laws white Southern governments passed in reaction to Nat Turner's Rebellion.
Original Text | Simplified Text |
Out of extreme fear, state governments across the South passed new, much harsher laws to control the Black population and prevent any future uprisings. | Because they were so afraid, Southern governments passed new, very strict laws to control Black people and stop future rebellions. |
Freedom of Assembly: It became illegal for enslaved or free Black people to gather in groups... without a white person present. | No More Gatherings: It was illegal for Black people to meet in groups (even for church) unless a white person was watching them. |
Literacy: It became illegal to teach any enslaved person how to read or write. Some states also made it illegal for free Black people to learn. | No Reading or Writing: It was illegal to teach enslaved people to read or write. (This was because Nat Turner was educated and could read). |
Preaching: The law banned enslaved or free Black people from preaching or holding their own religious services. | No Preaching: Black people were not allowed to be preachers or have their own church services. (This was because Nat Turner was a preacher). |
Movement: Free Black people lost many rights. They could not own guns and their right to travel... was severely restricted. | No Movement: Free Black people lost their rights. They couldn't own guns and it was made very hard for them to travel. |
Analysis Questions
Directions: Answer questions 1-2 on your own. Then, work with a partner to answer question 3.
1. According to Nat Turner (Source 1), why did he lead this rebellion? What was his goal?
Sentence Starter: According to Source 1, Nat Turner rebelled because... His goal was to...
2. According to Source 2, what was the main consequence of the rebellion for all Black people in the South (both free and enslaved)?
Sentence Starter: The main consequence of the rebellion was that... For example, new laws were passed that...
3. (Work with your partner) Look at the new laws in Source 2. How were these laws a direct reaction to Nat Turner, the man described in Source 1? (Hint: What could he do that the laws now banned?)
Sentence Starter: The laws in Source 2 were a direct reaction to Nat Turner because... For example, Source 1 shows that Nat Turner was a preacher, and Source 2... Also, Source 1 shows he was educated, and Source 2...
Part 3: Exit Ticket (5 minutes)
Directions: Answer the following prompt in a complete paragraph (5-8 sentences).
Prompt: Using evidence from both documents, answer the Essential Question: How did Nat Turner's Rebellion (Source 1) and the white South's reaction to it (Source 2) change life in the South? |
Sentence Starter: Nat Turner's Rebellion changed life in the South by... Source 1 shows the rebellion was... This caused the white South to react with... As seen in Source 2, they... This made life for all Black people...