The New York Slave Revolt of 1712
In the early morning hours of April 6, 1712, New York City was rocked by an uprising that most Americans have never heard of today. Around 23 enslaved Africans set fire to a building on Maiden Lane and then attacked white colonists who responded to the blaze. In the chaos, nine white people were killed and six were injured. The rebellion was quickly crushed, but the aftermath was brutal: over 70 Africans were arrested, and 27 were executed. This revolt led colonial authorities to pass even harsher slave codes, aiming to prevent future uprisings. According to historians, this event exposed the deep fear of rebellion among white colonists and…..