Denmark Vesey
A presentation presented by:
Austin “The Situation” Lombardi
Birth & Death
• Denmark Vesey has no recorded year of
birth, because he was born a slave. Though,
historians (Ebsco Host) believe he was born
somewhere around the year 1767, and
further believe his birthplace to be St.
Thomas, Danish West Indies.
• His date of death is July 2, 1822. Laid to rest
in Charleston, South Carolina.
Slavery
• Vesey was sold as a boy to a Bermuda
slave captain named’ Joseph Vesey.
• Denmark who later assumed his
master’s surname, traveled with him on
several voyages before settling in
Charleston, in 1783.
Pure Luck
• In the year of 1800, Denmark Vesey
was permitted to buy his freedom for
600 dollars, with money he had won in a
street lottery.
Revotitizing
• While working as a carpenter, Denmark
Vesey was reportedly intrigued and inspired
by Haitian Revolts and read a great number
of books written by authors against slavery.
He preached against slavery and quoted
documents such as the Declaration of
Independence, and the Bible.
• In 1821, Vesey began plotting his rebellion
against the American government.
Anger Turns to Action
• In 1822, the conspiracy of what some say
included thousands of men, was crushed before
it could even take flight.
• Like earlier rebellions, Vesey was betrayed by
some of his followers, and in June of 1822, the
rebellion was stopped before it was even started.
• Vesey was hanged on the 22nd of June with
thirty-four other men. Others were expelled from
the state, while four white rebels were sentenced
with jail time, and fines.
Impact
• In many areas, blacks outnumbered whites,
which alarmed most southern whites.
Therefore, whites feared the idea of slave
rebellions.
• After the string of slave rebellions, southern
states, including Virginia, tightened
restrictions on slaves. Some states even
teaching the enslaved to read, while others
even banned slaves from moving freely, or
meeting.
Bibliography
• Columbia University, Press. "Vesey,
Denmark." Columbia Electronic
Encyclopedia, 6th Edition (2009): 1.
History Reference Center. EBSCO. Web.
29 Apr. 2010.
• Encyclopedia, Britannica. "Vesey,
Denmark." Britannica Biographies
(2010): 1. History Reference Center.
EBSCO. Web. 29 Apr. 2010.
• ESKO!!!!!!!