1. Abolitionists Definition: These people worked to abolish, or
end slavery. They believe no one has the right
to own another person.
*** Mostly Northerners

2. Famous abolitionists Sojourner Truth Frederick Douglass
Harriett Tubman
William Lloyd Garrison
the Grimke Sisters
Dred Scott
Nat Turner

3. We will be focusing on two …
Harriett Beecher Stowe
John Brown

4. Harriett Beecher Stowe
The book told stories Stowe had heard from runaway slaves.
Slaves were fleeing the South and heading towards the North for freedom.
It helped turn the North against slavery. (slavery was morally wrong!)
Sold 300,000 copies in the first year.

5. “So this is the lady who started the Civil War.” - Abraham Lincoln

6. John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry
Brown led men to steal weapons for slaves to protect themselves against confederate soldiers.
In 1859, John Brown and his followers seized a federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia.

7. Raid at Harper’s Ferry
John Brown and 21 followers attacked a U.S. arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia.
Planning to use the guns to arm a slave revolt, on October 16, 1859, the group captured the arsenal.
He sent some of his group to spread the word to the area’s slaves to rise up in revolt, but they returned with a few hostages. No slaves were willing to run away and join Brown.

8. After the attack
Armed local townspeople followed by U.S. Marines fought Brown and his group.
Brown and his surviving followers were tried; all were sentenced to hang. Brown was hanged December 2, 1859.

9. Last Moments of John Brown
(painting by Thomas Hovenden)
"Now, if it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life for the furtherance of the ends of justice, and mingle my blood further with the blood of millions in this slave country whose rights are disregarded by wicked, cruel, and unjust enactments, I say, let it be done.“
- John Brown, statement at his sentencing on Nov. 2, 1859

10. Engine house at Harper’s Ferry John Brown’s Grave, NY