How a Nearly Successful Slave Revolt Was Intentionally Lost to History

[spanishspy]

Sad story about the quelling of a slave revolt in New Orleans.

[raunchel]

It's sad to read, but I guess that they didn't really have a chance, even with more short-term success.

[stevep]

Apr 16, 2018 6:37:27 GMT raunchel said:

It's sad to read, but I guess that they didn't really have a chance, even with more short-term success.

  I would agree.  Not sure why its referred to as a nearly successful revolt as I can't see it 'winning' long term while it stayed in the region.  Possibly if they had headed west and sought sanctuary in Spanish Mexico they might have got that and escaped, at least for a while.  [Which could make for some butterflies with a significant population in Texas probably deeply hostile to any American control of the region.]

  Mind you it did say they were east of the Mississippi and the Spanish still held most of Florida and might welcome new settlers who would oppose US attacks on the territory.  Their less likely to have a lasting freedom here however. 

  As such I can't see it ending in disaster while they stay in the US.  Even if there had been a massive slave revolt including most of those in the US the Americans have the numbers, organisation and weapons to crush such an uprising.

  Anyway, good find Spanishspy.  I know of the Nat Turner revolt later in Virginia but had never heard of this one at all.

[raunchel]

Apr 16, 2018 15:53:34 GMT stevep said:

Apr 16, 2018 6:37:27 GMT raunchel said:

It's sad to read, but I guess that they didn't really have a chance, even with more short-term success.

  I would agree.  Not sure why its referred to as a nearly successful revolt as I can't see it 'winning' long term while it stayed in the region.  Possibly if they had headed west and sought sanctuary in Spanish Mexico they might have got that and escaped, at least for a while.  [Which could make for some butterflies with a significant population in Texas probably deeply hostile to any American control of the region.]

  Mind you it did say they were east of the Mississippi and the Spanish still held most of Florida and might welcome new settlers who would oppose US attacks on the territory.  Their less likely to have a lasting freedom here however. 

  As such I can't see it ending in disaster while they stay in the US.  Even if there had been a massive slave revolt including most of those in the US the Americans have the numbers, organisation and weapons to crush such an uprising.

  Anyway, good find Spanishspy.  I know of the Nat Turner revolt later in Virginia but had never heard of this one at all.

They probably call it almost successful to make it sound more exciting and spectacular. After all, a completely hopeless revolt isn't very inspiring.

There is a reason why Haiti is one of the very few examples of a successful slave revolt. It only really works with really lopsided numbers, preferably against someone with difficulties reaching you and already fighting somewhere more vital.

[stevep]

Apr 16, 2018 16:27:32 GMT raunchel said:

Apr 16, 2018 15:53:34 GMT stevep said:

  I would agree.  Not sure why its referred to as a nearly successful revolt as I can't see it 'winning' long term while it stayed in the region.  Possibly if they had headed west and sought sanctuary in Spanish Mexico they might have got that and escaped, at least for a while.  [Which could make for some butterflies with a significant population in Texas probably deeply hostile to any American control of the region.]

  Mind you it did say they were east of the Mississippi and the Spanish still held most of Florida and might welcome new settlers who would oppose US attacks on the territory.  Their less likely to have a lasting freedom here however. 

  As such I can't see it ending in disaster while they stay in the US.  Even if there had been a massive slave revolt including most of those in the US the Americans have the numbers, organisation and weapons to crush such an uprising.

  Anyway, good find Spanishspy.  I know of the Nat Turner revolt later in Virginia but had never heard of this one at all.

They probably call it almost successful to make it sound more exciting and spectacular. After all, a completely hopeless revolt isn't very inspiring.

There is a reason why Haiti is one of the very few examples of a successful slave revolt. It only really works with really lopsided numbers, preferably against someone with difficulties reaching you and already fighting somewhere more vital.

  Very likely on both points.  Also the Haitians had the advantage of disease on their side, which stopped the French when Napoleon tried to reconquer it.