Abstract
This paper discusses the book "The Fires of Jubilee: Nat Turner's Fierce Rebellion," by Stephen B. Oates, a tale of what it was to be a slave in the South in the 1800s, and how it drove some blacks to violence and hatred. It analyzes the historical value of the book which is part novel and part biography and looks at the qualities of the main character Nat which make him a leader.

From the Paper
"From the opening paragraph, historian and biographer Stephen B. Oates sets the stage for the slave rebellion that would shake Southampton County in Virginia on August 22, 1831. The author shows in graphic detail the abject poverty of the slaves, the cruelty of their owners, and the utter hopelessness of the slaves' situation, from the "pungent" outhouses, to the ramshackle houses of the poor. He is carefully setting the stage to introduce the main character of the book, Nat Turner, famous for fathering a slave rebellion, and for the "justice" meted out after he was caught. The early portion of the book lays the foundation for the rebellion, by explaining how oppressed the blacks were, and how they felt they had no other option than to take the law into their own hands, and revolt. Oates succeeds in laying this foundation well, making us understand the desperation and disgust that led to these rash measures."

Tags:slave, rebellion, plantations, blacks, whites, negroes

Abstract
This paper discusses the book, "The Fires of Jubilee: Nat Turner's Fierce Rebellion" by Stephen B. Oates, which recounts the life and times of Nat Turner as he led the 1831 slave rebellion in Virginia. A background is provided about the author. The book is summarized thoroughly, presenting all the central characters and the main points of the historical account. The writer offers a personal critique and evaluation of the book.

From the Paper
"The author also discusses the plight of Nat's mother, Nancy who was born in Africa and lived through the Trans Atlantic voyage known as the middle passage. Nancy was taken from Africa when she was only a teenager. The book was graphic in describing the voyage and the plight of the Africans aboard and the way that they were treated by white Europeans. Nancy was very opposed to slavery and taught her son that people should be free. The lessons that Nancy taught Nat stayed with him for the rest of his life."

Tags:nancy, virginia, southampton, freedom, slavery, turner, travis

Abstract
In this paper, the writer uses Stephen B. Oates' book, "Fires of the Jubilee: Nat Turner's Fierce Rebellion", to discuss Turner's life. In particular, the paper discusses Turner's upbringing, the details of his rebellion and it's effect on the perception of slavery in the United States.

From the Paper
" Born on October 17, 1800 in Southampton County, Virginia, Nathaniel Turner began what can only be described as a remarkable life. His mother, Nancy was brought to America in 1795, and sold to planter Benjamin Turner. Nancy married and gave birth to Nat. Like many slave women she tried to kill her child rather than see him live a life of slavery. From a very early age people realized that Nat was unlike the other children. He displayed an intelligence well beyond his years. Unlike most slaves Nat was literate. Benjamin Turner, Nat's owner was even impressed by Nat's intellect."

Tags:slavery, american history, slave revolt, virginia

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that Nat Turner lead the largest and one of the most successful slave rebellions in American history in 1831, long before the American Civil War took place. However, the writer points out that most of the other facts about Turner's life remain elusive in the eyes of writers and historians alike. The writer discusses that to flesh out the myths and legends surrounding Turner's complicated theology, rebellion, and psychology, 19th century American historian Stephen Oates attempts to provide a speculative history as to the context of the plantation life in which Turner was reared as a slave. The writer looks at how Turner came to view himself as a prophetic figure and lead the fierce rebellion of the title. The writer notes that Oates suggests that Turner was both an extraordinary figure, a man whose rebellion changed the South, but also an ordinary man, who showed amazing courage, intelligence, and brutality in the face of history.

From the Paper
"In his book, Oates portrays slavery and the slave community as a totally enclosing institution, with heavy white control upon slave mobility, intellectually and geographically. This partially explains why more blacks did not rebel with Turner, he surmises. He also examines the empowering nature of slave religion, which originated as an instrument of white control upon slaves, but which also acted as a tool of empowerment for some slaves like Turner, who believed that his visions gave him prophetic status and the right to free his people. Religion and Christianity was a double-edged sword for slaves, preaching meekness when transmitted in the voices of slave-owners, but also a gospel of judgment, where the mighty would be brought low by the oppressed, in the name of justice."

Tags:slave, plantation, blacks, narrative

Abstract
This paper examines Stephen B. Oates's book, "Fires of Jubilee: Nat Turner's Fierce Rebellion," in an attempt to determine who Nat Turner really was and why he did what he did. The paper includes some first-hand observations about this region of the country during the last part of the 20th century. The paper contends that the historical record presented by Oates shows that Nat Turner reacted by engaging in a series of violent acts that reflected the violent nature of the times.

From the Paper
"During the 1500's and 1600's, the colonization of the New World by Europeans resulted in the rapid expansion of slavery; however, changing moral attitudes about slavery helped to bring about its decline during the 1800's. According to Stephen B. Oates, Nat Turner is the most famous and most controversial slave rebel in American history. Turner's portrayal in William Styron's novel, The Confessions of Nat Turner, as "a celibate bachelor given to masturbating about white women" has only served to fuel the controversy. Stephen B. Oates provides a thorough examination of who Nat Turner really was, and why he did what he did in this book, including some first-hand observations about this region of the country during the last part of the 20th century."

Tags:civil, cotton, emancipation, slavery, war

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses the book 'The Fires of Jubilee: Nat Turner's Fierce Rebellion' that recounts the events that led up to the slave uprising in Southampton Country, Virginia, in August 1831. The writer notes that, taking the reader back into the history of American slavery, historian and author, Stephen B. Oates, describes Turner's ethnic roots, his childhood, and the manner in which his religious convictions led him to the belief that God was instructing him to lead an uprising against the oppressive white slave-owners. The writer points out that the author then gives a detailed report of the horrific and bloody insurrection that followed. The writer notes that the book ends with the death of Nat Turner, and the political and social consequences in the aftermath of the uprising.

From the Paper
"Nat Turner's childhood was spent on a small, but prosperous, cotton plantation that was situated in Virginia. He was raised in an oppressive atmosphere that never allowed him to forget that he was owned, and was a regular witness of injustice and indiscrimination. His mother, a native African, could remember their homeland, which meant that Nat's childhood was filled with her passionate hatred of slavery, and probably tales of her previous life in Africa. Nat could also remember his father attempting to run away, and the obligatory punishment that he would have received upon his capture. Surviving under the most strictest and harshest of conditions, he often saw indescribable acts of violence that could not have failed to have scarred his young mind."

Tags:slave, oppression, freedom, uprising

Abstract
The paper looks at the background of Nat Turner and describes what became known as Nat Turner's Rebellion. The paper outlines the Virginia militia's response to the rebellion and explains why Virginia whites would be so distraught about an ultimately unsuccessful slave rebellion. The paper discusses how what Nat Turner's rebellion made clear is that slaves were not content to live in bondage, and while the rebellion may have been unsuccessful as a revolt, it was one of the many puzzle pieces necessary to end the practice of slavery.

Outline:
Introduction
Nat Turner
Nat Turner's Rebellion
Virginia Militia's Response to the Rebellion
Haiti
Consequences
Conclusion

From the Paper
"One of the most historically significant events in Virginia history began on August 21, 1831 in Southampton County, when a slave by the name of Nat Turner led a small group of slaves in the most successful slave revolt ever on United States' soil. As anyone familiar with American history knows, Nat Turner's Rebellion, as it came to be called, was ultimately unsuccessful. Despite plans to slaughter any whites that they encountered, thus preventing anyone from escaping and getting help to quash the rebellion, Turner and his followers committed a fatal mistake by permitting some people to live. The survivors did manage to seek help and the militia came in and killed all of the rebel slaves, and a significant portion of slaves in the area who had not participated in the rebellion. Nat Turner was captured and executed for his role in the rebellion."

Tags:Virginia, militia, whites, blacks, uprising

Abstract
This paper maintains that though slavery and oppression related to it are unconscionable and indefensible, the rebellion orchestrated by the slave Nat Turner cannot be viewed on the same level as George Washington's fight for freedom against British oppression.

From the Paper
"According to Faragher, Buhle, Czitrom and Armitrage, the ultimate resistance against the abuses of slavery was the slave revolt. On a hot August night in ..., Nat Turner, a lay preacher and slave, led a revolt he had planned after having a religious vision in which he saw white spirits and black spirits engaged in battle. (Faragher et al) Turner and five other slaves first struck and killed Turner's master Joseph Travis. Traveling from one plantation to the next, the rebels killed fifty-five..."

Tags:South, execution, whites, blacks, African Americans, revolt

Abstract
This paper explains why American history needs to honor and acknowledge Nat Turner's rebellion and other slave rebellions as an integral part of American history similar to the way that we honor and appreciate the revolts of the American colonists. The[paper argues that the slave revolts are often ignored because they show a darker side of American history, one that shows blacks as less than human, not worthy of natural rights. The paper asserts that by righting this wrong, the United States can better fix the racial divide that exists in this country.

From the Paper
"Many American history buffs love to point out our rebellious history. Books are filled with stories of colonial resistance such as the Boston Tea Party, the burning of effigies, and the Revolutionary War. There are many stories of Daniel Shay's rebellion against the young federal government. Yet one story that receives little attention is the story of Nat Turner's rebellion. His story is an excellent example of how some slaves fought back and resisted their oppressors. This caused great fear in the outnumbered Southern whites, so they created institutions such as..."

Tags:nat, turner, rebellion