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John Brown was among many antislavery people in the antebellum period, but he was ultimately distinguished by his determination to use force when necessary against proslavery violence. In 1855, Brown joined his sons, who had moved to the Kansas territory, which was then in a ballot contest between proslavery and antislavery settlers over whether Kansas would enter the Union as a free state or slave state. The majority of settlers were antislavery people, but proslavery terrorists flooded into Kansas from Missouri and the South, and used violence and terrorism to force slavery. Brown's sons were avowed antislavery people and drew the hostility of proslavery neighbors who plotted against them with the intention of bringing armed terrorists against them. With no recourse to law or protection from territorial or federal forces, they were in certain danger. Learning of this, Brown and a group of men, including some of his sons, identified the key conspirators and killed them in order to thwart their attack. In modern terms, Brown's actions were taken in a wartime context and while they were martial killings, they were undertaken to preempt a terrorist assault. These facts mitigate against labeling Brown a "radical murderer," although this if often the assumption of prejudiced and unlearned people. The killings of five men had no collateral damage and were strategic, so they were comparable more to modern attacks on terrorist cells or terrorist leaders. Leading biographers and students of Brown, such as David Reynolds, Paul Finkelman, and Louis DeCaro would disagree with the conventional 20th century notion of Brown as a radical murderer. This view tended to reflect the pro-Southern revisionism that dominated historical writing during the era of the Civil Rights era. However unpleasant, there is substantial evidence that the "Pottawatomie massacre" actually was a preemptive strike that primarily involved securing the immediate security of the Brown family and other free state neighbors placed in jeopardy by proslavery conspirators in their neighborhood.
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoJohn Brown and his sons committed murder in Kansas. Brown and his sons traveled to Kansas from his home in Connecticut in the wake of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1856. Brown was a radical abolitionist and left an infamous record in Kansas due to the Pottawatomie Creek massacre. There Brown and his sons invaded the home of a pro-slavery family and dragged them outside. They shot the father in the head and hacked and mutilated his sons with broad swords. These were deemed ritual murders and committed in front of the families female members. In 1859, Brown, somehow escaping prosecution, bought a farm under a false name in Maryland. There he plotted a slave revolt and left a paper trail as to his intentions. He needed weapons to start the revolution and so took over the US arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia.
His scouts could find no slaves willing to join the revolt.
After a few more innocent people were killed, Brown was captured by then Colonel of the Marines, Robert E. Lee.
Brown was found guilty of treason and hanged.
He was certainly no hero, and clearly a traitor and murderer.
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Was the anti slavery abolitionist John Brown a free black?
The radical anti slavery abolishtionist John Brown was white. He can be called "radical" in that he took over a Federal arsenal to begin a slave rebellion.
How was John Brown regarded by many people in the north?
Abolitionists were split on John Brown. Some thought he was a martyr for the cause, while others viewed him as a common murderer.
How did John Brown's attack on Harpers Ferry increase tensions between the North and South?
For the most part most Americans, both North and South, saw the Brown slave revolution as being radical and dangerous. Brown was a martyr to radical abolitionists, but for most Americans, Brown's violence was madness.
Why did John Brown go to Kansas after the Kansas Nebraska Act of 1854 was passed?
John Brown was a radical abolitionist. He and his sons traveled to Kansas to take part in the armed conflict there between pro and anti-slavery settlers.
Why did John Brown attempt to seize the Federal Arsenal at the Harper's Ferry?
Radical abolitionist John Brown did seize the Federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry in 1859. The purpose was to supply arms to a slave revolt that John Brown and his followers attempted to create. The "rebellion" was ended in a few days as no slaves were enticed to join such a revolution, and Federal forces under Colonel Robert E. Lee captured Brown and his 20 or so followers. Brown was hung in Virginia soon after for treason.
Was john brown a radical murdererer or a hero?
John Brown was a radical and a murderer who was made a martyre by radical abolitionists.
Why did John brown do to become a hero?
he was john brown so he told lies
Radical abolitionist who was hanged after an arsenal raid?
John Brown
What are some adjectives for john brown?
Outspoken, determined, radical, controversial.
Was the anti slavery abolitionist John Brown a free black?
The radical anti slavery abolishtionist John Brown was white. He can be called "radical" in that he took over a Federal arsenal to begin a slave rebellion.
How did John brown's raid at Harper's ferry effect the Nation?
john brown became hero of the state
What did john brown speech say about him?
The John Brown's war was not a good war it is what sparked the Civil War. This started in the year 1859.
How was John Brown regarded by many people in the north?
Abolitionists were split on John Brown. Some thought he was a martyr for the cause, while others viewed him as a common murderer.
When did John Rooney - murderer - die?
John Rooney - murderer - died in 1905.
When was John Rooney - murderer - born?
John Rooney - murderer - was born in 1880.
Who was John Brown and why is he significant?
He was Queen Victoria's servant, and he was allowed to take liberties with her, including being drunk and disrespectful in her presence. Today we would call that the Rough Trade - a topical theme in England now.
How did John Brown's attack on Harpers Ferry increase tensions between the North and South?
For the most part most Americans, both North and South, saw the Brown slave revolution as being radical and dangerous. Brown was a martyr to radical abolitionists, but for most Americans, Brown's violence was madness.
