Skill 10: Summarize how John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry ignited passions in 1859.
John Brown a mentally unstable, radical abolitionist from Kansas, led the raid on Harper's Ferry from October 16th to October 18th, 1859. The rebellion included a group of approximately 20 people, consisting of Brown, his four sons, and former slaves. Brown planned on causing general revolt by influencing a handful of followers to rebel, calling upon slaves to rise, furnishing them with arms, and establishing a black-free sanctuary state. When the rebellion began, seven innocent people were killed (including a free black) and approximately ten were injured. The slaves, ignorant of John Brown's strike, failed to rebel. Brown's actions were soon vanquished when the federal troops under the command of Robert E. Lee captured the rebellious group after their two-day siege. John and six of his followers were tried for treason, were convicted, and then hanged.
The rebellion wreaked havoc on the well-being of the country, "burning the bridges" of an already tense land. The southerners were not convicted by the North's words and because of this, most southern states were influenced to secede from the Union. They further condemned Brown's aggressive actions and violent counterparts. The North was believed to have used abolitionist revolts involving slaves to destroy the South. On the other hand, the North believed that Brown was a martyr instead of a murderer. Civil War was soon to come...
The rebellion wreaked havoc on the well-being of the country, "burning the bridges" of an already tense land. The southerners were not convicted by the North's words and because of this, most southern states were influenced to secede from the Union. They further condemned Brown's aggressive actions and violent counterparts. The North was believed to have used abolitionist revolts involving slaves to destroy the South. On the other hand, the North believed that Brown was a martyr instead of a murderer. Civil War was soon to come...