What was the primary consequence of the Stono Rebellion?

The primary consequence of the Stono Rebellion was the implementation of stricter laws regulating slave movements. This rebellion, which took place in South Carolina in 1739, involved a group of enslaved Africans who revolted against their conditions and attempted to flee to Florida, where they believed they could find freedom. The aftermath of the rebellion created significant fear among white slaveholders about the potential for future uprisings.

In response to the rebellion, colonial authorities enacted the Negro Act of 1740, which introduced a series of restrictions aimed at controlling the enslaved population more effectively. These included prohibiting enslaved people from assembling in groups, learning to read, and traveling without permission. The laws were intended to prevent similar uprisings and maintain the social order of the time.

This reaction to the Stono Rebellion illustrates the heightened anxiety of slave owners regarding the potential for resistance among enslaved individuals and the lengths to which they were willing to go to suppress any aspirations for freedom.