What sparked the 34 executions in 1741 panic in New York City?

Answer 1

The 1741 panic in New York City, known as the "Great Negro Plot," was sparked by fears of a slave uprising following a series of fires that swept through the city. In the context of rising tensions between the enslaved population and white residents, rumors circulated that a conspiracy was afoot among enslaved Africans and poor whites to overthrow the colonial government. This hysteria led to widespread paranoia and the execution of 34 individuals, many of whom were African slaves, based on dubious evidence and confessions obtained under duress. The panic reflected the deep-seated fears and racial tensions of the time.