JOHN BROWN
Harper’s Ferry
Martyr or Madman?
John Brown's Last Prophecy
Charlestown, Va, 2nd, December, 1859
I John Brown am now quite certain that the
crimes of this guilty, land: will never be purged
away; but with Blood. I had as I now think:
vainly flattered myself that withought very much
bloodshed; it might be done.
What conclusions can be made from this passage about John
Brown’s opinion on slavery?
How would you describe him?
Vocabulary
Emancipation
Arsenal
Treason
antebellum
Martyr
Guerilla
Background
1812: John,12, is witness to a slave being brutally beaten with a
shovel
1820;1833 Marries, fathers 17 children
1836 moves to Ohio and is an Underground Railroad Station Master
His calling from God to free the slaves.
Poor business man; bankrupt
Gets financial backing from business men to support anti-slavery
activities
1851 begins to plan attack at Harper’s
Ferry Arsenal. Attacking federal arsenal is
an attack on the government.
1856 Brown directs murder of 5 proslavery
men at Pottawatomie Creek. Bleeding KS
Kansas is a “free” state. His mission is
fulfilled. Sets his sights on Virginiabiggest slave state in the Union.
Southerners misread Brown’s extremism
as typical of the feelings of most northern
abolitionists…..setting the stage.
1859. July. Brown arrives in Harper’s Ferry. He rents
the Kennedy Farmhouse.
August. Meets with Frederick Douglass in
Chambersburg, PA to discuss if violence is the slave’s
ticket to freedom.
“When I strike,” Brown said, “ the bees will begin to
swarm, and I shall need your help to hive them.”
Does Douglass agree with John?
His plan was to arm slaves and drive southward into
Tennessee and Alabama, raiding federal arsenals and
inciting slave insurrections. He hoped to ignite a
sectional crisis that would destroy slavery.
Clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW3XP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW3XP
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The Raid
October 16, 1859
Seized the arsenal with 21 men.
Sent out men for hostages and to liberate
slaves. One free slave is shot as he tries to get
away.
Baggage master of train is shot so news doesn’t
get to D.C.
Church bell warns townspeople. They cut off his
escape route. Trap Brown in armory. Angry mob
2 days later, US marines arrive under the
command of Lt. Col. Robert E. Lee.
Marines storm the building. Brown is captured.
GUILTY
CONSPIRACY
MURDER
TREASON
Sentence to hang in public!
Final words
“If it is deemed necessary that I should
forfeit my life for the furtherance of the
ends of justice and mingle my blood with
the blood of millions in this slave country
whose rights are disregarded by wicked,
cruel and unjust enactments, I say let it
be done.”
Northerners reaction
Some hailed Brown as hero.
Wm. Lloyd Garrison announced that
Brown’s death had convinced him of the
need for violence to end slavery.
Lincoln & Douglass did not support
Brown’s tactics.
Southerners reaction
Believed that majority of north wanted to
free slaves and incite a race war
Believed that secession and creation of
slaveholding confederacy were now the
south’s only options.
Believed that it was the first act in the
grand tragedy of emancipation.
Madman or Martyr?
Write a half page journal entry, to discuss
whether you believe John Brown was a
Madman or Martyr.
– Give support to your position
– You could take the perspective of a slave or a
Southerner slave owner
Madman or Martyr?
Within the law
Outside the law