John Brown: The Raid That Sparked the Civil War

John Brown was a radical abolitionist who led a raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia in 1859. The raid failed, but it helped to spark the American Civil War.

Brown was born in Torrington, Connecticut in 1800. He grew up in a devout Christian family and was deeply influenced by the abolitionist movement. In the 1830s, he moved to Kansas Territory, where he fought against the pro-slavery forces. In 1855, he led a group of abolitionists in the raid on the Pottawatomie Creek settlement, in which five pro-slavery settlers were killed.

Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid That Sparked the Civil War

by Tony Horwitz

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3044 KB
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In 1859, Brown planned a raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry. He believed that by capturing the arsenal, he could start a slave rebellion that would spread throughout the South. On October 16, 1859, Brown and his followers seized the arsenal. However, they were quickly surrounded by a force of U.S. Marines. After a two-day siege, Brown and his followers were captured.

Brown was found guilty of treason and murder and was hanged on December 2, 1859. His death made him a martyr to the abolitionist cause and helped to galvanize the North against slavery.

The raid on Harpers Ferry was a turning point in the history of the United States. It helped to bring the issue of slavery to a head and contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War.

The Legacy of John Brown

John Brown was a complex and controversial figure. He was a radical abolitionist who believed that violence was necessary to end slavery. He was also a deeply religious man who believed that he was ng God's work. His raid on Harpers Ferry was a failure, but it helped to spark the Civil War and ultimately led to the abolition of slavery in the United States.

Brown's legacy is still debated today. Some people see him as a hero who fought for freedom, while others see him as a terrorist who used violence to achieve his goals. However, there is no doubt that Brown was a significant figure in American history. His raid on Harpers Ferry helped to shape the course of the Civil War and ultimately led to the abolition of slavery in the United States.

Further Reading

• John Brown (History.com)
• John Brown (Encyclopedia Britannica)
• John Brown: The Raid on Harpers Ferry (PBS)

Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid That Sparked the Civil War

by Tony Horwitz

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3044 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	382 pages

FREE