JOHN BROWN Harper’s Ferry Martyr or Madman?

How would you describe him?

Vocabulary Emancipation Emancipation Arsenal Arsenal Treason Treason antebellum antebellum Martyr Martyr Guerilla Guerilla

Background 1812: John,12, is witness to a slave being brutally beaten with a shovel 1812: John,12, is witness to a slave being brutally beaten with a shovel 1820;1833 Marries, fathers 17 children 1820;1833 Marries, fathers 17 children 1836 moves to Ohio and is an Underground Railroad Station Master 1836 moves to Ohio and is an Underground Railroad Station Master His calling from God to free the slaves. His calling from God to free the slaves. Poor business man; bankrupt Poor business man; bankrupt Gets financial backing from business men to support anti-slavery activities 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 begins to plan attack at Harper’s Ferry Arsenal. Attacking federal arsenal is an attack on the government Brown directs murder of 5 proslavery men at Pottawatomie Creek. Bleeding KS 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. 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. 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.

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The Raid October 16, 1859 Seized the arsenal with 21 men. 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. 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. 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 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. 2 days later, US marines arrive under the command of Lt. Col. Robert E. Lee. Marines storm the building. Brown is captured. Marines storm the building. Brown is captured.

GUILTY CONSPIRACY CONSPIRACY MURDER MURDER TREASON TREASON Sentence to hang in public! 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.” “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. Some hailed Brown as hero. Wm. Lloyd Garrison announced that Brown’s death had convinced him of the need for violence to end slavery. 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. 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 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 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. Believed that it was the first act in the grand tragedy of emancipation.

Madman or Martyr? Within the law Within the law Outside the law Outside the law