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[[image:Johnbrown.jpg|200px|thumb|John Brown. Ca. 1850]]

[[image:Johnbrown.jpg|200px|thumb|John Brown. Ca. 1850]]

'''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 a [[Protestant]] [[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>

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.

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.