Introduction

The Stono Rebellion and Fort Mose history are two major topics that highlight resistance to slavery and the struggle for freedom among African Americans in the colonial era. Both are essential to understanding the resilient spirit that shaped African American history. The Stono Rebellion, which happened in 1739, reveals how enslaved people fought back against oppression. Meanwhile, Fort Mose shows an early example of a free Black community in the New World.

It is vital for students to see how these events connect resistance and freedom. They provide important lessons about the lengths people will go to secure liberty. By taking a closer look at these stories, many can better appreciate how African Americans challenged the status quo in colonial America.

Below is an exploration of how the Stono Rebellion occurred, followed by an examination of Fort Mose. The topics include their historical context, the people involved, and the lasting impact both events had on African American history.

Historical Context

By the 18th century, slavery had become central to the economy of the British colonies. In places like South Carolina, plantation owners depended on the forced labor of enslaved Africans to cultivate cash crops such as rice and indigo. Life under this system was brutal. Enslaved people endured long hours in harsh conditions, faced cruel punishments, and were denied basic human rights.

In contrast, Spanish Florida offered a rare opportunity for freedom. As early as the 17th century, the Spanish settlement of St. Augustine became a refuge for those who managed to escape from British colonies. Spanish officials promised freedom to enslaved individuals who converted to Catholicism and pledged loyalty to Spain. This offer made Spanish Florida a beacon of hope, particularly for those living in Georgia and the Carolinas. The promise of emancipation fueled not only individual escape attempts but also collective acts of resistance—most notably, the Stono Rebellion of 1739.

Conditions for Enslaved People in South Carolina:

• Long workdays in extreme heat with little rest
• Strict legal codes limiting movement, speech, and autonomy
• Constant threats of punishment or violent enforcement
• Hopes of escape, especially upon hearing rumors of safe haven in Spanish territory

In response to these oppressive conditions, enslaved people resisted in both subtle and overt ways. Some slowed their work, sabotaged tools, or preserved cultural practices in secret. Others risked their lives to flee, often heading south toward Spanish Florida. Within this context of desperation and defiance, the Stono Rebellion emerged as one of the earliest large-scale uprisings against slavery in colonial America.ed in subtle acts of defiance. Others tried to run away, often looking south toward Florida. Against this backdrop, the stage was set for the Stono Rebellion.

The Stono Rebellion

The Stono Rebellion erupted in September 1739 near the Stono River in South Carolina. Jemmy, an enslaved man from the Angola region, led nearly 100 individuals in a daring attempt to escape. Many participants originated from the Kingdom of Kongo and spoke Portuguese, which helped them communicate with Spanish authorities in Florida.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. Jemmy and other enslaved Africans gathered near the Stono River on a Sunday morning.
2. They seized weapons from a local store and killed a few storekeepers.
3. Marching under a banner proclaiming “Liberty,” they traveled south, attracting more followers.
4. As they moved, they set fire to plantations and confronted any resistance they encountered.
5. Their goal was to reach Spanish Florida, where they believed freedom awaited.

However, local militia forces soon caught up with the group and violently ended the revolt. Some participants were killed, and others faced brutal punishments. Still, their bold actions demonstrated the unbreakable will to fight for liberty.

Reasons Behind the Uprising

The promise of freedom in Spanish Florida served as a powerful motivator for enslaved people in the British colonies. News of Spain’s offer of asylum to those who escaped and converted to Catholicism spread among enslaved communities, inspiring hope and fueling acts of resistance. For many, this vision of liberation gave them the courage to challenge the brutal system that denied their humanity.

The Stono Rebellion of 1739 stands as a powerful example of collective resistance. It demonstrates that Africans and African descendants in North America did not passively accept enslavement—they actively sought freedom whenever possible. This rebellion also echoes larger patterns of resistance across the Atlantic world, including numerous uprisings in the Caribbean, where enslaved people similarly fought against colonial rule and oppression.

Fort Mose: A Sanctuary

Fort Mose, established in 1738, became the first sanctioned free Black town in what is now the United States. Spanish Florida allowed freedom to enslaved people who converted to Catholicism. Because of this policy, the Spanish governor recognized the importance of creating a fortified settlement where formerly enslaved Africans could live. This community symbolized the promise of safety and self-determination.

The Role of Francisco Menéndez

Francisco Menéndez was an enslaved Senegambian who fought against the English in the Yamasee War. After finding refuge in St. Augustine, he rose to prominence under the Spanish governor. Thus, he became the leader responsible for organizing and overseeing Fort Mose. The settlement featured homes, a church, and fortifications. It also served as a beacon for those seeking a life free from slavery.

Founding Fort Mose

1. Spanish government in Florida sought to disrupt British influence.
2. Francisco Menéndez and other former enslaved people received land and permission to build.
3. A fortified settlement was constructed, including protective walls.
4. Community rules required residents to join the militia to defend Spanish Florida if necessary.
5. Fort Mose grew into a vibrant settlement, demonstrating the courage and resilience of African Americans.

Fort Mose history shows how alliances and policies in the Americas could carve out spaces of freedom. This reality stood in stark contrast to the harsh conditions enslaved people faced in the British colonies.

Comparing Fort Mose to Other Free Black Settlements

Many free Black communities existed in places such as maroon societies in Jamaica or hidden villages in the Great Dismal Swamp. However, Fort Mose was unique because it was officially recognized and supported by the Spanish government. It combined military service, religious identity, and the promise of emancipation. Therefore, it signaled a new chapter in African American history, where freedom could be won through a blend of loyalty to Spanish authorities and personal determination.

The Aftermath of the Stono Rebellion

The Stono Rebellion alarmed British colonial rulers throughout the region. As a result, South Carolina lawmakers passed strict new slave codes in 1740. These codes further limited the movement of enslaved Africans, restricting their communication and daily activities.

Major Consequences

• The British colony in South Carolina increased surveillance over enslaved people.
• Slave patrols and curfews became more common.
• Laws deterring African assembly or education became widespread.

These policies reflected the growing fear among planters of another large-scale revolt. The rebellion’s impact also stretched beyond South Carolina. Many colonists worried that Spanish Florida’s asylum policy encouraged unrest. Consequently, tensions between British colonists and Spanish Florida escalated, leading to assaults on Fort Mose.

Fort Mose and British Colonial Forces

One month after South Carolina passed its restrictive slave code, British colonial forces invaded Florida and destroyed Fort Mose in 1740. Although it was rebuilt later, the fort struggled to regain its former strength. Eventually, the settlement’s population dispersed, underscoring the fragile situation of free Black communities in the colonial era. Still, the idea of a free Black town lives on as a testament to the power of hope and unity.

Resistance and Freedom in African American History

Resistance has always been a persistent theme in African American history. The Stono Rebellion and Fort Mose illustrate how enslaved people refused to surrender their right to freedom. Certain uprisings, like the Haitian Revolution, later showed that massive changes were possible with determination and unity.

Long-Term Implications

• These events paved the way for future rebellions and freedom movements.
• The idea that African Americans could create autonomous communities began to spread.
• Challenges posed by these acts of resistance forced colonists to reevaluate how they managed slavery.

Additionally, many historians emphasize the bravery of enslaved individuals who chose to risk their lives for liberty. By acknowledging these stories, students can better appreciate the complexity of African American history. Recognizing past achievements and struggles helps clarify the steps that led to emancipation and civil rights movements in later centuries.

Using the Required Sources

Two key documents offer firsthand perspectives on these historical events. They illustrate the mindset of leaders in Spanish Florida and the fears of colonial authorities in South Carolina.

• “Letter from Governor of Florida to His Majesty, 1739” – This official correspondence explains why Spanish officials supported freedom for enslaved Africans. It also shows how Spain used this policy to weaken the British colonies. The governor’s words confirm the promise that awaited those who escaped to Spanish Florida. This letter helps explain why rebellions like Stono erupted, as enslaved people realized genuine hope existed to the south.

• “Excerpt from An Account of the Stono Rebellion, 1739 (first paragraph)” – This early record of the revolt shares details about the planning and execution of the uprising. It demonstrates the deep tension in South Carolina at the time. By examining this report, one can see how the British colonists viewed the event as a serious threat. The language also reveals how planters worried that Spanish Florida’s emancipation policy encouraged enslaved Africans to rise up.

Both documents highlight the vital connection between Spanish policy and the Stono Rebellion. While colonial authorities aimed to maintain control, enslaved people leveraged the chance offered by Spain. These firsthand records confirm that Fort Mose history and the stono rebellion intertwined, shaping a legacy of resistance that continued for generations.

Conclusion

The Stono Rebellion and Fort Mose remain key events in understanding African American resilience. They show how enslaved communities took bold risks to escape bondage and form their own societies. In the wake of the Stono Rebellion, strict laws were passed to clamp down on similar uprisings. At the same time, British forces shattered the refuge that Fort Mose offered.

Yet the spirit of resistance lived on. These stories connect to broader patterns of defiance against slavery, confirming that African Americans have always fought for autonomy. Students can benefit by looking deeper into these narratives to see how they influenced future generations in America. The determination of Jemmy, Francisco Menéndez, and many others foreshadowed the many paths taken toward emancipation and civil rights. Their bravery remains a driving force in the ongoing story of African American history.

Quick Reference Vocabulary Chart

Term	Definition
Stono Rebellion	A 1739 uprising along the Stono River in South Carolina, led by Jemmy, involving nearly 100 enslaved Africans who aimed to reach Spanish Florida for freedom.
Fort Mose	The first sanctioned free Black settlement in what is now the United States, founded in Spanish Florida in 1738 under Francisco Menéndez.
Spanish Florida	A territory under Spanish rule that offered asylum and freedom to enslaved people, attracting many escapees from British colonies who adopted Catholicism.
Slave Code	Laws that controlled the behavior and rights of enslaved Africans; South Carolina’s stricter code of 1740 was a response to the Stono Rebellion.
Francisco Menéndez	An enslaved Senegambian who found refuge in Spanish Florida and helped establish and lead Fort Mose.
Asylum	A policy of offering protection and freedom to enslaved people who escaped to Spanish-held territories.
Yamasee War	A conflict (1715–1717) in which Francisco Menéndez fought against the English, strengthening his ties with Spanish Florida’s authorities.
St. Augustine	The oldest continuously occupied European-origin settlement in the United States, serving as a major hub for people seeking freedom in Spanish Florida.
Jemmy	An enslaved man from the Angola region who led the Stono Rebellion in South Carolina, inspiring others to fight for their liberation.
Kingdom of Kongo	A region in Central Africa (present-day Angola) where many captured Africans originated; those who ended up in South Carolina were often familiar with Catholicism and Portuguese.

These terms play a vital role in understanding the history surrounding the Stono Rebellion and Fort Mose. Students can use this chart as a study aid to quickly recall key ideas.

Sharpen Your Skills for AP® African American Studies

Are you preparing for the AP® African American Studies test? We’ve got you covered! Try our review articles designed to help you confidently tackle real-world AP® African American Studies problems. You’ll find everything you need to succeed, from quick tips to detailed strategies. Start exploring now!

Need help preparing for your AP® African American Studies exam?

Albert has hundreds of AP® African American Studies practice questions, free response, and full-length practice tests to try out.