The American Abolitionist's John Brown

John Brown was a radical supporter of the abolitionist cause who carried extreme anti-slavery views. He helped the cause through his work as a conductor for the Underground Railroad. He also established an organization to help runaway slaves escape safely to freedom, and worked closely with Frederick Douglass himself for some time. During the famous conflicts in Kansas between anti-slavery and pro-slavery forces, also known as "Bleeding Kansas", Brown moved there in hopes of gaining upper-hand control for the anti-slavery side. Little did Brown know that his divine mission for vengeance against the slave system would soon come to full fruition.

The "Bleeding Kansas" situation came to a full climax on May 21, 1856, when a group of pro-slave sympathizers sacked the town of Lawrence, bringing buildings down to the ground. After discovering this, Brown concluded that his most important quest had arrived. Brown was inspired by his opponents, who used a form of guerrilla warfare in the ensuing conflicts immediately after the ransacking of Lawrence. Just three days later, Brown led a group of men on a raid on a pro-slavery settlement at Pottawatomie Creek. Brown and his men succeeded in brutally murdering five slavery proponents after dragging them out of their cabins. This event gave Brown notoriety among the Northern extremists, and inspired the anti-slavery forces to keep fighting as the year went on, while also building fear of Brown on the pro-slavery side. Brown was able to recruit more and more fighters to his growing army as the years went on.

By 1859, after continued success with the anti-slavery mission in Missouri and other states, Brown set his sights on Virginia. Brown's plan was to raid the Federal Arsenal at Harper's Ferry, in order to free many slaves and provide them with weapons, hopefully inspiring them to join the fight themselves to free even more slaves. On October 16, Brown and his men initiated the plan, gaining control of the arsenal at first. However, after freeing several slaves, Brown and his "army of emancipation" were unable to finish the job. A Southern army led by Colonel Robert E. Lee overpowered them, putting down the rebellion. Brown and his remaining troops were captured, and Brown was sentenced to death by hanging.

Although Brown never got the chance to fully complete his divine mission, his effect on the country was certainly felt. Abolitionists hailed him as a hero and a martyr, while slave owners believed him to be a villain. His actions also helped to hasten the pace towards the Civil War and the general divide over slavery and emancipation.

Sources:
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/john-brown
https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Brown-American-abolitionist
https://www.history.com/topics/abolotionist-movement/john-brown