#AP African American Studies: Resistance & Rebellion Study Guide 🚀

Hey! Let's get you prepped for the AP exam with a super-focused review. We're diving into how enslaved people resisted and fought for freedom. Let's make sure you're not just memorizing, but understanding this crucial part of history. Ready? Let's go!

#Daily Resistance & Community Building

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• Enslaved people didn't just accept their fate. They actively fought back through daily resistance:

  • Slowdowns: Working at a snail's pace 🐌 to disrupt production.
  • Sabotage: Damaging tools and equipment 🛠️ to hinder operations.
  • Theft: Taking food and other resources 🍎 as a form of reclamation.
  • Escape: Running away to seek freedom and autonomy 🏃🏾‍♀️.

• These acts were not just about survival; they were about maintaining dignity and humanity in the face of oppression.

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• These daily acts kept the spirit of resistance alive 🔥, fueling the larger fight against slavery.
• They showed the agency and determination of enslaved people, challenging the dehumanizing narratives of slavery.
• Abolitionists were inspired by this resilience, which strengthened their resolve.

#Churches: More Than Just a Place of Worship

• Churches were vital multi-functional spaces for enslaved communities:

  • Sanctuary: A safe space for gathering and support 🫂.
  • Information Hub: Sharing news, including updates about the abolitionist movement 📰.
  • Political Organizing: Especially in the North, they served as centers for planning resistance ✊🏾.
  • Cultural Preservation: Celebrating traditions, mourning losses, and maintaining community 🎶.

• Churches were crucial in nurturing and sustaining resistance on a daily basis.

Practice Question

Multiple Choice:

1. Which of the following was NOT a common form of daily resistance used by enslaved people? a) Slowing work pace b) Damaging tools c) Publicly debating slaveholders d) Stealing food

2. What role did churches play in the lives of enslaved people? a) Primarily a place for religious worship b) A place for community gathering, political organizing, and information sharing c) A place to display loyalty to slaveholders d) A place to learn how to read and write

Short Answer:

Briefly explain how daily acts of resistance by enslaved people impacted the abolitionist movement.

#Revolts & Organized Resistance

#African Military Experience

• The transatlantic slave trade brought many former African soldiers to the Americas.
• Their military skills and leadership 🛡️ were crucial for organizing and executing revolts.

#First Revolt in US Territory

• In 1526, enslaved Africans in Santo Domingo (present-day Dominican Republic) revolted against Spanish explorers in what would become the US.
• They escaped and found refuge with Indigenous communities, showing early resistance 🏹.

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• German Coast Uprising (1811):

  • Led by Charles Deslondes, inspired by the Haitian Revolution 🇭🇹.
  • Up to 500 enslaved people marched toward New Orleans, showing incredible organization and determination.
  • Though violently suppressed, it remains a powerful example of large-scale resistance.

• Creole Mutiny (1841):

  • Madison Washington led a mutiny on the slave ship Creole.
  • They sailed to the Bahamas, where British law ensured their freedom 🏝️.
  • Demonstrated the ingenuity and bravery of enslaved people seeking liberation.

#Religion-Inspired Rebellions

• Religious beliefs often fueled resistance:

  • Nat Turner's Rebellion (1831): Turner believed he was divinely chosen to lead enslaved people to freedom ✝️.
  • Denmark Vesey's Planned Rebellion (1822): Vesey planned to liberate enslaved people and sail to Haiti.

• Abolitionists like Maria W. Stewart and Henry Highland Garnet used religious principles to advocate for the end of slavery.

  • Maria W. Stewart: First African American woman to give public speeches against slavery, using biblical references.
  • Henry Highland Garnet: Called for active resistance in his "Address to the Slaves of the United States" (1843).

Practice Question

Multiple Choice:

1. What was the significance of the German Coast Uprising? a) It was the first successful slave revolt in the US. b) It demonstrated the large-scale organization and determination of enslaved people. c) It led to the immediate abolition of slavery in Louisiana. d) It was a small-scale event with little impact.

2. Which rebellion was led by Madison Washington? a) Nat Turner's Rebellion b) The German Coast Uprising c) The Creole Mutiny d) Denmark Vesey's Planned Rebellion

Short Answer:

Explain how religion influenced resistance to slavery, providing at least two specific examples.

#Required Source Analysis: Jefferson's Letter

#Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Rufus King, 1802

• Context: This letter reveals the anxieties of slaveholders about resistance and their attempts to control enslaved populations.

• Key Points:

  • Increased Insurgency: Jefferson notes increased unrest and an actual insurrection in Virginia ⚠️.
  • Transportation Proposal: Virginia sought a place to send enslaved people guilty of rebellion, considering Africa as a destination.
  • Sierra Leone Colony: Jefferson suggests working with the existing British colony in Sierra Leone instead of creating a new one.
  • Economic Considerations: He discusses ways to reduce transportation costs, including allowing transported people to work off their passage and engaging in trade.
  • Emancipation Concerns: Virginia was worried about emancipations without emigration, and Jefferson requests permission to send emancipated slaves to Sierra Leone.
  • Diplomatic Relations: Jefferson emphasizes the importance of maintaining good relations with Britain.
  • US Foreign Policy: The US wishes to cultivate peace and friendship with all nations, especially Great Britain.

Practice Question

Multiple Choice:

1. According to Jefferson's letter, what was a major concern of the Virginia legislature regarding enslaved people? a) Their education b) Their religious practices c) Their potential for revolt and the need for emigration d) Their integration into society

2. What does Jefferson propose as a solution for dealing with enslaved people who revolt? a) Immediate execution b) Transportation to a colony in Africa, specifically Sierra Leone c) Increased surveillance within the US d) Integration into the US military

Free Response Question (FRQ):

Analyze the various forms of resistance used by enslaved people in the United States. In your response, be sure to:

• Discuss both daily forms of resistance and organized revolts.
• Explain how religious beliefs influenced resistance efforts.
• Analyze how the letter from Thomas Jefferson to Rufus King reflects the anxieties of slaveholders about resistance.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Daily Resistance (2 points):
  • 1 point for identifying and explaining at least two forms of daily resistance (e.g., slowing work, sabotage, theft, escape).
  • 1 point for explaining the impact of daily resistance on the abolitionist movement.
• Organized Revolts (2 points):
  • 1 point for identifying and explaining at least two organized revolts (e.g., German Coast Uprising, Creole Mutiny, Nat Turner's Rebellion, Denmark Vesey's planned rebellion).
  • 1 point for explaining the role of African military experience in these revolts.
• Religious Influence (2 points):
  • 1 point for explaining how religious beliefs influenced resistance efforts.
  • 1 point for providing specific examples of religion-inspired rebellions or abolitionist figures.
• Jefferson's Letter (2 points):
  • 1 point for identifying at least two concerns expressed in Jefferson's letter (e.g., increased insurgency, need for transportation).
  • 1 point for analyzing how the letter reflects the anxieties of slaveholders about resistance.
• Synthesis/Argument (1 point):
  • 1 point for a clear thesis statement or argument that connects the various forms of resistance.

#Final Exam Focus 🎯

• High-Priority Topics:
  • Daily resistance tactics and their impact.
  • Key revolts and their leaders (German Coast, Creole, Nat Turner, Denmark Vesey).
  • Role of churches in community building and resistance.
  • Primary source analysis (especially Jefferson's letter).
• Common Question Types:
  • Multiple-choice questions testing your knowledge of specific events and figures.
  • Short-answer questions requiring you to explain key concepts and relationships.
  • Free-response questions (FRQs) that ask you to synthesize information from multiple units.
• Last-Minute Tips:
  • Time Management: Pace yourself during the exam. Don't spend too long on any single question.
  • Common Pitfalls: Avoid vague answers. Be specific and use evidence from the text.
  • FRQ Strategy: Plan your response before you start writing. Make sure you address all parts of the question.

You've got this! You're prepared, you're knowledgeable, and you're ready to ace this exam. Go get 'em! 💪🏾