Significance in History
Through the years, Nat Turner has been portrayed in many different ways. Most view him as a martyr, a murderer, or a maniac. Whether good or bad, Turner brought change and influenced many people.
Immediately after Turner’s Rebellion, both the North and the South responded. In the Southern states, the abolitionist movements that were gaining momentum were quickly eradicated and laws were strengthened against slaves. The North, however, saw this revolt as an act of standing up to oppression and celebrated it. Among other reasons, this might have been because Southerners were closer to the violence but Northerners saw it from far away, therefore not affected as much personally.
Today, Nat Turner has been venerated in many different ways. In Newark, New Jersey, the largest city-owned park is named after him. There have been countless references to him in songs, movies, and books. He listed as one of the top one hundred African Americans throughout history in an encyclopedia by Molefi Kete Asante. Modern American history textbooks will tell the story of Nat Turner, whether good or bad, as part of the path to abolitionism.
