John Brown: The Oxford Du Bois

John Brown: The Radical Abolitionist

John Brown was a polarizing figure in American history. A radical abolitionist, he believed that violence was necessary to end slavery. His raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859 was a pivotal event in the lead-up to the Civil War. Brown's legacy is complex and controversial, but there is no doubt that he was a man of deep conviction who was willing to die for his beliefs.

John Brown (The Oxford W. E. B. Du Bois)

by W. E. B. Du Bois

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1666 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Early Life and Education

John Brown was born in Torrington, Connecticut, in 1800. His father was a tanner and farmer, and his mother was a devout Christian. Brown grew up in a strict Calvinist household, and he developed a strong sense of morality and justice at a young age. He was also a voracious reader, and he was particularly interested in the history of the American Revolution and the abolitionist movement.

Abolitionist Activism

Brown first became involved in the abolitionist movement in the 1830s. He moved to Ohio, where he became a conductor on the Underground Railroad, helping slaves escape to freedom. He also began to write and speak out against slavery, and he quickly became one of the most prominent abolitionists in the country. In 1855, Brown helped to found the Pottawatomie Rifles, a group of armed abolitionists who raided pro-slavery settlements in Kansas. The Pottawatomie Rifles' actions helped to ignite the Bleeding Kansas conflict, which further escalated tensions between the North and South.

Harpers Ferry Raid

In 1859, Brown led a raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia). He hoped to seize the federal arsenal there and use it to arm slaves in a rebellion against slavery. The raid was a failure, and Brown and his followers were captured. Brown was tried and convicted of treason and murder, and he was hanged in December 1859.

Legacy

John Brown's legacy is complex and controversial. He was a radical abolitionist who believed that violence was necessary to end slavery. His raid on Harpers Ferry was a pivotal event in the lead-up to the Civil War, and it helped to galvanize the abolitionist movement. Brown was also a devout Christian who believed that he was ng God's work. He was a complex and contradictory figure, but there is no doubt that he was a man of deep conviction who was willing to die for his beliefs.

W.E.B. Du Bois on John Brown

W.E.B. Du Bois was one of the most influential African American intellectuals of the 20th century. He was a historian, sociologist, and civil rights activist who wrote extensively about the history of slavery and race relations in the United States. In his book "John Brown," Du Bois argued that Brown was a "radical democrat" who fought for the freedom of all Americans, regardless of race.

Du Bois praised Brown's courage and dedication, but he also criticized his use of violence. He argued that Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry was a "mistake" that alienated many potential allies in the abolitionist movement. However, Du Bois ultimately concluded that Brown was a "great man" who "died for the cause of freedom."

John Brown was a complex and controversial figure who played a pivotal role in the American Civil War. His raid on Harpers Ferry was a failure, but it helped to galvanize the abolitionist movement and bring the issue of slavery to the forefront of national politics. Brown was a man of deep conviction who was willing to die for his beliefs, and his legacy continues to be debated today.

Additional Resources

* [John Brown: The Raid on Harpers Ferry](https://www.history.com/topics/us-civil-war/john-brown-harpers-ferry) * [W.E.B. Du Bois: John Brown](https://www.gutenberg.org/files/16116/16116-h/16116-h.htm) * [The Life and Legacy of John Brown](https://www.nationalpark

John Brown (The Oxford W. E. B. Du Bois)

by W. E. B. Du Bois

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1666 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	230 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE