Resistance

= __The Resistance__ = During the history of slavery there were always occasions of slave rebellions. These occurred when a large number of slaves decided to fight back and try to gain their independence. There were also other ways that the slave rebelled which included working slowly, pretending not to understand orders, and sometimes mutilating themselves so they could not be sold for much money. These simple acts of rebellion were very common. During our history there were also many cases of rebellion that usually turned out in the slaves dying or being taken back to slavery. Very few of these rebellions were actually successful. One of the greatest and most known slave rebellions of all time was the Amistad. It was a slave ship crossing the Atlantic to America when the slaves on board rebelled and killed the captain and crew. The Slaves were then told to continue to shore and they would be granted their freedom. This was one of the first and most important signs of hope towards the freedom of slavery. There were many other attempts at resistance, and most fell through. In 1822 a man named Denmark Vesey who had bought his freedom amassed what historians say was 6,000 to 9,000 people. These people where going to walk into Charleston with weapons and fight for freedom. But it failed as many other plans did because of someone who gave them away before the date of the attack. Slaves were punished for this rebellion and thirty four including Vesey were hanged. All throughout the history of slavery rebellions like this have occurred. Even though most have failed they have all made a contribution to the cause of freedom. Just like in the story of Amistad there was a rebellion on a slave ship.