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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 a [[Quaker]] [[abolitionist]] whose violent actions to hurt [[slavery]] helped start the [[American Civil War]]. His raid on [[Harper's Ferry]] Virginia in 1859 was designed to start a slave insurrection, but no slaves joined and it failed. Brown was tried and hung for treason to the state of Virginia.

'''John Brown''' (May 9, 1800-December 2, 1859) was a [[Congregationalist]] [[abolitionist]] whose violent actions to hurt [[slavery]] helped start the [[American Civil War]]. His raid on [[Harper's Ferry]] Virginia in 1859 was designed to start a slave insurrection, but no slaves joined and it failed. Brown was tried and hung for treason to the state of Virginia.

Unlike most abolitionists, Brown believed that the use of violence was morally justifiable in the fight against slavery. He was born into a religious 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>

Unlike most abolitionists, Brown believed that the use of violence was morally justifiable in the fight against slavery. He was born into a religious [[Yankee]] 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 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 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 revolt]]s. The raid failed, and Brown was hanged on December 2.