John Brown – the “Spark” - 2045 Words

â€Å"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.† – Edmund Burke Throughout the existence of slavery in America, white abolitionists have played a crucial role in the fight for the freedom of blacks. They all risked everything, and fueled by passion stepped outside of the societal norm to fight for those unable to fight. However, few white abolitionists caused as much controversy during their time as John Brown. Brown was an abolitionist who not only spoke out on his beliefs, but backed up them up with action. He was so contentious that he was able to be considered a hero and a terrorist at the same time. Although Brown’s actions were considered debatable, it can be agreed upon today that they were†¦show more content†¦His plan was to seize the 100,000 muskets and rifles that were located in the armory and use them to arm the local slaves. From there, they would head south, gathering more and more slaves from plantations, and fighting in a manner of â€Å"self defense† (Reynolds). He had even asked Harriet Tubman to join him in the raid; however she was ill and unable to join him. Her participation would have been interesting, and perhaps tragic, as she was the escaped slave that founded the Underground Railway. John’s plan was that the slaves would revolt and battle against their masters. However, this plan would not succeed. The Raid at Harpers Ferry would be a beginning to the Civil War and an end for John Brown. The raid initially went well, they were able to capture the armory due it being guarded by a single watchmen. They then rounded up hostages from some local farms, one being the great grad nephew of George Washington, and spread the news to the local slaves. Unfortunately, Brown and his men soon found themselves surrounded by the U.S Marines led by Colonel Robert E. Lee and were commanded to surrender. Brown initially refused, stating â€Å"No, I prefer to die here† (New World Encyclopedia). Soon the power of the Marines was too much, Brown had become wounded, and he and the survivors of the raid became detained. Brown was taken to Charleston,Show MoreRelatedAbolitionist John Brown1836 Words   |  7 Pagesthe words spoken by abolitionist John Brown at his trial in Charles Town, Virginia (now part of West Virginia) following his violent raid at Harper’s Ferry Federal Arsenal in October, 1859 (Fanton 82). John Brown played a vital role in the anti-slavery movement and his actions opened the eyes of a nation that would become divided in a war of brother against brother. He clearly states his intentions, but did he really not mean to excite or incite a rebellion among slaves? John Brown represented the idealsRead MoreJohn Brown : An American Abolitionist Essay1560 Words   |  7 PagesJohn Brown is an American Abolitionist who believed in abolishing slavery across the nation through killing any southern slaveholder or supporter that comes in his path. It is believed that he had a plan to gather all the free slaves and rebel against th e southern states, but his rebellion never made it that far. His rebellion started in Kansas in 1855 and ended in December 1858 at Harpers Ferry leading to him being convicted and hung for his crimes. John Brown had one motive that made him do theseRead MoreJohn Brown: an Extreme Abolitionist1452 Words   |  6 PagesChris Carey John Brown: An Extreme Abolitionist John Brown’s beliefs about slavery and activities to destroy it hardly represented the mainstream of northern society in the years leading up to the Civil War. This rather unique man, however, took a leading role in propelling the nation toward secession and conflict. Many events influenced Brown’s views on slavery from an early age. When he was older, his strong anti-slavery feelings had grown, and he became an extreme abolitionist. His raid onRead MoreJohn Brown : Abolitionist or Psychopath3669 Words   |  15 PagesJohn Brown: Abolitionist or Psychopath His 378 August 3, 2012 John Brown Part 1 1. On October 16, 1859 John Brown led a group of men to Harper’s Ferry, Virginia and raided the Federal arsenal. Brown wanted to create an army of African-Americans that would in the end help release black slaves in the Southern states. Brown and his men manage to capture the arsenal but the town people of Harper’s Ferry surrounded the buildings and trapped Brown and his men. Brown had intended to steal the government’sRead MoreU.S. History: Abolitionist John Brown607 Words   |  2 PagesJohn Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry, Virginia was an attempt to steal from the federal armory in order to arm the slaves with the needed weapons and lead a black rebellion aimed at ending slavery and pave the way for racial equality. The subject of this paper will be about John Brown’s journey in formulating the plan to start the rebellion against slavery which ultimately forced greater tension between the north and the south which induced the possibility of a Civil War. Abolitionist John BrownRead MoreThe Work of Three Major Abolitionists: Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison and John Brown1328 Words   |  6 PagesRevivalistic tenets led abolitionists to see slavery as the product of sin and to demand emancipation as the price of repentance. A tenet is a principle, belief, or doctrine generally held to be true; especially one held in common by members of an organization, movement, or profession. Abolitionists recognized that slavery received moral support from racial prejudice, and they lobbied to overturn the nations racially discriminatory practices. During the 1830s, abolitionists tried to reach and convertRead MoreThe Battle Against Slavery During The 19th Century1342 Words   |  6 Pagesanti-slavery movement was John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry. John Brown was a white Abolitionist who lived during the time of debate over Kansas’ statehood. Brown had strong beliefs as a Christian and used these to drive his desires, and a movement, of freeing all slaves. In 1851, Brown started an anti-slavery group called the United States League of Gileadites, which consisted of Brown himself, his sons, escaped and free slaves, and other supporting white Abolitionists who chose to join him. (Earle)Read MoreAbolitionist Movements And Social Reforms1610 Words   |  7 Pageswould able to be changed through peaceful political reforms, while others felt that real change could only be achieved by violence. A radical white abolitionist named John Brown became a historical figure whose beliefs motivated the violent abolitionist crusade. In the 1830s, antislavery underwent an important transformation which led to various abolitionist movements and social reforms. The American Association Organization provided a program which taught information about the gradual emancipation ofRead MoreEssay on Abolitionists997 Words   |  4 PagesAbolitionists Strategies of Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and John Brown Abolitionist Movement was a reform movement during the 18th and 19th centuries. Often called the antislavery movement, it sought to end the enslavement of Africans and people of African descent in Europe, the Americas, and Africa itself. It also aimed to end the Atlantic slave trade carried out in the Atlantic Ocean between Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Many people participated in trying to end slavery. TheseRead MoreControversial Dedication : A Study Of John Brown s Politics1483 Words   |  6 PagesControversial Dedication: A Study of John Brown’s Politics â€Å"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 without very much bloodshed, it might be done.† – John Brown (1859) Few abolitionists have shown the die-hard dedication that John Brown presented during the battle to end slavery. Most abolitionists, such as Frederick Douglas, focused on giving speeches to persuade people to