What was the significant slave rebellion that took place in South Carolina in 1739?

The Stono Rebellion, which occurred in South Carolina in 1739, is significant as it was one of the largest slave uprisings in the British colonies. Led by a group of enslaved Africans, the rebellion involved a march towards Spanish Florida where freedom was promised to those who escaped. The rebels initially killed several white plantation owners and gathered additional enslaved individuals to join them in their fight for freedom.

The rebellion's consequences were far-reaching, leading to a tightening of slave laws in the Carolinas, such as the Negro Act of 1740, which restricted the rights and movements of enslaved people. The Stono Rebellion highlighted the desperation for freedom experienced by enslaved people and the lengths to which they would go to attain it. This event is a pivotal moment in understanding the social tensions and the harsh realities of slavery in colonial America.