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'''John Brown''' (May 9, 1800-December 2, 1859) was an abolitionist whose devotion to the cause of ending slavery cost made him a key figure in the years leading up to the [[Civil War]]. Unlike some other abolitionists, Brown believed that the use of violence was morally justifiable in the fight against slavery. He was born into a Christian family, and was taught from a young age that slavery was incompatible with the message of the [[Bible]]. <ref>http://www.civilwarhome.com/johnbrownbio.htm</ref>

'''John Brown''' (May 9, 1800-December 2, 1859) was an abolitionist whose devotion to the cause of ending [[slavery]] cost made him a key figure in the years leading up to the [[Civil War]]. Unlike some other [[abolitionist]]s, Brown believed that the use of violence was morally justifiable in the fight against slavery. He was born into a Christian family, and was taught from a young age that slavery was incompatible with the message of the [[Bible]]. <ref>http://www.civilwarhome.com/johnbrownbio.htm</ref>

Brown became a part of the [[Underground Railroad]], then went to the newly formed territory of [[Kansas]] in 1855 to participate in the fight between the "free staters" and the pro-slavery "Bushwhackers". In May 1856, Brown and several other men (including four of his sons) attacked the homes of slavery supporters near Pottawatomie Creek in Kansas and killed all of the inhabitants with swords. In 1859, Brown led 21 men in an attack on a federal arsenal in Harper's Ferry, Virginia (note: Harper's Ferry is now part of West Virginia), intending to arm slaves in slave revolts. The raid failed, and Brown was hanged on December 2.

Brown became a part of the [[Underground Railroad]], then went to the newly formed territory of [[Kansas]] in 1855 to participate in the fight between the "[[free stater]]s" and the pro-slavery "[[Bushwhackers]]". In May 1856, Brown and several other men (including four of his sons) attacked the homes of slavery supporters near Pottawatomie Creek in Kansas and killed all of the inhabitants with swords. In 1859, Brown led 21 men in an attack on a federal arsenal in [[Harper's Ferry]], Virginia (note: Harper's Ferry is now part of West Virginia), intending to arm slaves in [[slave revolt]]s. The raid failed, and Brown was hanged on December 2.

[[Henry David Thoreau]] said of Brown: "No man in America has ever stood up so persistently and effectively for the dignity of human nature." <ref>http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p1550.html</ref>

[[Henry David Thoreau]] said of Brown: "No man in America has ever stood up so persistently and effectively for the dignity of human nature." <ref>http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p1550.html</ref>