The Stono Rebellion and Fort Mose

#AP African American Studies: Spanish Florida & Resistance - Your Ultimate Review 🚀

Hey there! Let's get you prepped and confident for your AP exam. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource, especially the night before the test. We'll break down everything you need to know about Spanish Florida, its impact on enslaved people, and the resistance it inspired. Let's do this!

#1. Spanish Florida: A Beacon of Freedom

• 17th Century: Enslaved people from Georgia and the Carolinas began seeking asylum in St. Augustine.
• Catholicism: Conversion was key to gaining freedom in Spanish Florida.
• Safe Haven: It became a refuge for those fleeing enslavement, offering a chance at a new life.

Caption: A map showing the extent of Spanish Florida, highlighting its strategic location and its role as a refuge for escaped slaves.

#2. Fort Mose: The First Free Black Town

• Establishment: Founded in 1738 by the governor of Spanish Florida.
• Leadership: Led by Francisco Menéndez, a formerly enslaved Senegambian who fought against the English.
• First of its Kind: The first sanctioned free Black town in what is now the United States. 🏘️
• Safe Haven: Provided a place for formerly enslaved individuals to live freely and practice Catholicism.

Caption: A reconstruction of Fort Mose, illustrating the community's structure and its significance as a free Black settlement.

#3. The Stono Rebellion: Inspired by Freedom

• Inspiration: The promise of freedom in Spanish Florida partly fueled the Stono Rebellion of 1739. * Leadership: Led by Jemmy, an enslaved man from the Angola region. ✊
• Participation: Nearly 100 enslaved African Americans took part.
• Actions: They set fire to plantations and marched toward Spanish Florida, seeking sanctuary.
• Background: Many participants were from the Kingdom of Kongo, Portuguese speakers familiar with Catholicism.

The Stono Rebellion is a crucial example of enslaved people actively resisting their bondage. It directly connects to the themes of freedom, agency, and the impact of Spanish policies. 💡

#4. British Response & Legacy

• Restrictive Laws: South Carolina passed a harsh slave code in 1740 to limit the movement and autonomy of enslaved people.
• Military Action: British colonial forces invaded Florida and destroyed Fort Mose.
• Legacy: Despite the destruction, the legacy of Fort Mose and Spanish Florida's asylum policy continued to inspire future generations to seek freedom.

#5. Required Sources: Deep Dive

#Letter from Governor of Florida to His Majesty, 1739

• Context: This letter provides a firsthand account of the tensions between Spanish Florida and British colonies. It highlights the issue of runaway slaves seeking refuge.
• Key Points:
  • Reports of English activity near Apalache.
  • Mention of enslaved people scattering after an encounter.
  • Concerns about preventing further desertions.
  • Efforts to investigate new posts.

#Excerpt from An Account of the Stono Rebellion, 1739

• Context: A primary source account of the Stono Rebellion, offering insights into the motivations and actions of the enslaved people involved.
• Key Points:
  • Proclamation in Augustine promising freedom to runaway slaves.
  • Runaway slaves being received with honors in Augustine.
  • The spread of news about the good reception of runaways.
  • Don Pedro's visit to Charles Town.

#6. Final Exam Focus

• Highest Priority Topics:
  • The significance of Spanish Florida as a haven for escaped slaves.
  • The establishment and importance of Fort Mose.
  • The causes and impact of the Stono Rebellion.
  • The British response and its implications.
• Common Question Types:
  • Multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge of key events and figures.
  • Short answer questions that require you to analyze primary sources.
  • Free-response questions that ask you to synthesize information from multiple units.
• Time Management Tips:
  • Quickly scan passages for key terms and main ideas.
  • Allocate time for each question based on its point value.
  • Don't get bogged down on a single question; move on and come back if time allows.
• Common Pitfalls:
  • Not analyzing primary sources thoroughly.
  • Failing to connect different historical events and themes.
  • Not providing specific evidence to support your claims.

#7. Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What was the primary reason enslaved people sought refuge in Spanish Florida? a) Economic opportunities b) Religious freedom and escape from enslavement c) Political alliances d) Access to better healthcare

2. Which of the following best describes the significance of Fort Mose? a) It was a British military outpost. b) It was the first free Black town in what is now the United States. c) It was a major trading hub for enslaved people. d) It was a center for agricultural production.

3. What was a direct consequence of the Stono Rebellion? a) The abolition of slavery in South Carolina b) The establishment of new trade routes c) The passage of stricter slave codes in South Carolina d) The expansion of Spanish territory

Short Answer Question

Analyze the impact of Spanish Florida's policy of offering freedom to enslaved people on both the enslaved population and the British colonies. Use evidence from the provided documents to support your answer.

Free Response Question

To what extent did the promise of freedom in Spanish Florida contribute to resistance against slavery in the British colonies? In your response, be sure to:

• Develop a thesis that addresses the prompt.
• Support your argument with specific evidence from the provided documents and your knowledge of the historical period.
• Analyze the complex relationship between Spanish Florida, British colonies, and enslaved Africans.
• Consider multiple perspectives and factors.

FRQ Scoring Breakdown

• Thesis (1 point): A clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the extent to which the promise of freedom in Spanish Florida contributed to resistance against slavery in the British colonies.
• Evidence (2-3 points): Use of specific evidence from the provided documents and historical knowledge to support the thesis.
  • Document Evidence (1-2 points): Evidence from the Governor's letter and the Stono Rebellion account that demonstrates the impact of Spanish Florida on enslaved people and the British colonies.
  • Historical Knowledge (1 point): Additional historical context that supports the argument, such as the establishment of Fort Mose, the Stono Rebellion, and the British response.
• Analysis and Reasoning (2-3 points): Explanation of how the evidence supports the thesis, demonstrating an understanding of the complex relationships between Spanish Florida, British colonies, and enslaved Africans.
  • Analysis (1-2 points): Explanation of how the evidence supports the argument. For example, the letter shows the British concerns about the impact of Spanish Florida, and the Stono Rebellion account shows the direct impact of Spanish Florida on enslaved people.
  • Reasoning (1 point): Demonstrating an understanding of the complex relationships between Spanish Florida, British colonies, and enslaved Africans.
• Complexity (1 point): Demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the topic by considering multiple perspectives, factors, and historical context.

You've got this! Remember, you're not just memorizing facts; you're understanding a powerful story of resistance and the pursuit of freedom. Go get that 5! 🌟