8490707954_ed12e9f0e9_b
John_Brown's_Tombstone
quindaro ks statue
'The_Last_Moments_of_John_Brown'_by_Thomas_Hovenden,_De_Young_Museum
John Brown: Hero or Terrorist?
Overview
Description of John Brown's raid, debate of his standing as hero or terrorist, and student activity from both sides of the argument.
Debate Brown's cause, methods, and legacy.
In the 1850s, conflicting notions between pro-slavery Southerners and Anti-slavery Northerners became increasingly heated and sometimes violent. One fiery abolitionist (anti-slavery activist) was John Brown. In 1859, he led a raid on the Federal Arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia with 18 armed men, both black and white. His goal was to capture weapons and prompt a radical, armed uprising of slaves.
However, after the Marines broke down the door where they had hunkered down, Brown and his followers were caught or killed, and Brown was convicted of treason and hung.
Since Brown had attacked Federal government arsenal, many Southern slaveholders were shocked to learn that Northerners who were opposed to slavery supported Brown’s actions and mourned his death.
1.) In your view, was John Brown a hero or a terrorist? Let's discuss both points as a class.
2.) Now imagine you are a Southerner calling for his arrest and conviction. Create a wanted poster detailing his crimes. Do research in your text and online resources to find details.
3.) Then imagine you are a Northern abolitionist. Create a poster calling for his release on the basis of his just cause.