Difference between revisions of "John Brown"
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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 [[ | + | '''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. |
Unlike most 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> | Unlike most 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> | ||
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==Further reading== | ==Further reading== | ||
| + | * Nevins, Allan. ''The Emergence of Lincoln: Prelude to Civil War, 1859-1861'' (1950), vol 4 of ''The Ordeal of the Union'', outstanding narrative, esp ch 3 pp 70-97 | ||
| + | * Potter, David M. ''The Impending Crisis: 1848-1861'' (1976) pp 211-24, 356-84; Pulitzer Prize winning history by leading conservative historian | ||
* Reynolds, David S. ''John Brown, Abolitionist: The Man Who Killed Slavery, Sparked the Civil War, and Seeded Civil Rights'' (2006) says Brown was justified in practicing terrorism | * Reynolds, David S. ''John Brown, Abolitionist: The Man Who Killed Slavery, Sparked the Civil War, and Seeded Civil Rights'' (2006) says Brown was justified in practicing terrorism | ||
* Villard, Oswald Garrison. ''John Brown, 1800-1859: A Biography Fifty Years After'' (1910) 738 pages, a better balanced biography by an abolitionist [http://books.google.com/books?id=JVZ9Xn_qY4MC&printsec=frontcover&dq=intitle:john+intitle:brown+inauthor:villard&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=1&as_miny_is=2009&as_maxm_is=12&as_maxy_is=2009&num=30&as_brr=0&as_pt=ALLTYPES full text online] | * Villard, Oswald Garrison. ''John Brown, 1800-1859: A Biography Fifty Years After'' (1910) 738 pages, a better balanced biography by an abolitionist [http://books.google.com/books?id=JVZ9Xn_qY4MC&printsec=frontcover&dq=intitle:john+intitle:brown+inauthor:villard&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=1&as_miny_is=2009&as_maxm_is=12&as_maxy_is=2009&num=30&as_brr=0&as_pt=ALLTYPES full text online] | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 07:38, March 17, 2009
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.
Unlike most 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. [1]
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.
Henry David Thoreau said of Brown: "No man in America has ever stood up so persistently and effectively for the dignity of human nature." [2]
"Tragic Prelude", a famous mural by John Steuart Curry depicting Brown holding a rifle in one hand and a Bible in the other, is prominently displayed in the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka. [3]
Further reading
- Nevins, Allan. The Emergence of Lincoln: Prelude to Civil War, 1859-1861 (1950), vol 4 of The Ordeal of the Union, outstanding narrative, esp ch 3 pp 70-97
- Potter, David M. The Impending Crisis: 1848-1861 (1976) pp 211-24, 356-84; Pulitzer Prize winning history by leading conservative historian
- Reynolds, David S. John Brown, Abolitionist: The Man Who Killed Slavery, Sparked the Civil War, and Seeded Civil Rights (2006) says Brown was justified in practicing terrorism
- Villard, Oswald Garrison. John Brown, 1800-1859: A Biography Fifty Years After (1910) 738 pages, a better balanced biography by an abolitionist full text online