Description

Martyr, madman, murderer, hero: John Brown remains one of history's most controversial and misunderstood figures. In the 1850s, he and his ragtag guerrilla group embarked on a righteous crusade against slavery that was based on religious faith -- yet carried out with shocking violence. His execution at Harpers Ferry sparked a chain of events that led to the Civil War. Joyner talks about Press/Martyr - reshapes image from fanatic to martyr, Response to raid - temperate on both sides at first, Response to raid - made icon, slave holders threatened, respond, Press/Trial - North as John Brown supporters, South as pro - slavery, Trial - John Brown makes it trial of slavery, not of himself (better), Trial - John Brown makes it trial of slavery, not of himself, Martyr - wrote wife he had brought conflict to limit, Religion - conflict b/t governmental & religious authority, Religion - people divided by allegiance to secular/religious law, Sanity - Wise thought John Brown sane, John Brown angry over insanity argument, Sanity - John Brown angry over insanity argument, Wise thought John Brown sane, Sanity - Wise thought John Brown sane, John Brown thought Wise insane, Icon - US a different country after John Brown's execution, Trial - Southern fear, Trial - Southern fear North was coming to arm the slaves, Execution - John Brown put issue of slavery at center stage as never before

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WGBH

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Digital Commonwealth