He recalled that before an 1831 revolt, he had a vision of “White Spirits & Black Spirits engaged in battle”

The June 4, 2025 episode of Jeopardy featured a thought-provoking Final Jeopardy clue in the category American History. Contestants were asked to identify the historical figure who recalled having a vision of “White Spirits & Black Spirits engaged in battle” prior to leading an 1831 revolt.

Who is Nat Turner? 

This clue centered on one of the most well-known uprisings in American slavery history, referencing a deeply religious and symbolic moment described by Turner himself. His account of this vision was central to how he explained his motivation for what became a defining moment in antebellum America.

The Life and Beliefs of Nat Turner

Nat Turner was an enslaved African American preacher who lived in Southampton County, Virginia. Born in 1800, Turner was known for his intelligence and deep religious convictions from a young age. He claimed to experience visions and spiritual messages, which he believed were directives from God. These visions intensified as he grew older and became more immersed in biblical teachings, leading him to see himself as chosen for a divine purpose.

His visions included cosmic signs, such as solar eclipses, and symbolic dreams involving battles between spiritual forces. Turner interpreted these as signs to rise against the institution of slavery. In 1831, after witnessing what he believed were further spiritual messages, he launched what would become one of the bloodiest slave revolts in U.S. history. Turner believed the vision of “White Spirits & Black Spirits engaged in battle” foretold the coming struggle between enslaved Black Americans and their white oppressors.

The 1831 Rebellion and Its Aftermath

On August 21, 1831, Turner and a small group of followers began their rebellion, moving from plantation to plantation in Southampton County and killing approximately 55 white people. The revolt lasted for two days before it was suppressed by local militias and federal troops. In the aftermath, white mobs and militias killed an estimated 200 Black people, many of whom had no connection to the uprising.

Turner evaded capture for nearly two months before he was found, tried, and executed in November 1831. His rebellion struck fear into the hearts of slaveholders and led to widespread panic across the South. In response, Southern legislatures passed new laws restricting the education, movement, and assembly of enslaved people, making conditions even more oppressive.

The Vision in Historical Context

The vision described in the Jeopardy clue is documented in “The Confessions of Nat Turner,” a narrative compiled by Thomas R. Gray, a white lawyer who interviewed Turner while he was in jail. Turner’s account mixes religious symbolism with direct calls to action. The “White Spirits & Black Spirits” reference has been interpreted as a metaphor for the struggle between oppressors and the oppressed, framed through Turner’s Christian worldview.

This spiritual justification for violent rebellion challenged contemporary views of passive resistance among the enslaved and gave rise to complex debates about morality, justice, and retribution. Whether seen as a visionary or fanatic, Turner remains a pivotal figure in American history, remembered for his radical resistance and the lasting effects of his rebellion.

Legacy and Modern Interpretation

Today, Nat Turner’s uprising is studied not only as a historical event but as a symbol of resistance. It has been the subject of numerous scholarly works, films, and reinterpretations, each attempting to understand the motivations and meaning behind his actions. The violent nature of the rebellion continues to provoke strong responses, but so too does the context of systemic brutality that gave rise to it.

The vision highlighted in the Jeopardy clue speaks to the deep psychological and spiritual conflict that defined Turner’s world. It also serves as a reminder of how faith, oppression, and prophecy interwove in the lives of the enslaved. As such, the clue and its answer pointed viewers toward a figure whose story continues to challenge and inform the narrative of American history.