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 Virginia- biggest 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=LW3XPR4t-g4

Clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW3XPR4t-g4

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