John Brown

Even people in Congress and other government positions were split on the issue of slavery Charles Sumner, a Kansas Senator, was caned over the issue Named called several men over KS-NE act Beat violently Couldn’t work for 3 years

Slavery or Not? People in Kansas were very split on the decision of slavery Jayhawkers and Border Ruffians/Bushwhackers held very strong beliefs Willing to fight/die for their them

Bleeding Kansas Clip Use the “Bleeding Kansas” Clip from Discovery Education from the movie “The West: Death Runs Riot”

Bushwhackers believed terror would convince Kansans’ to vote to make Kansas allow slavery Wanted to scare the people Quantrill’s raid on Lawrence was one of the worst battles over slavery in Kansas Burned the town down, only killed men, left many women without a husband and kids without fathers

Most abolitionists helped slaves by hiding them in “safe houses” located on the underground railroad However, some abolitionists used violence to help slaves

John Brown Missourians were not the only ones who killed over the issue John Brown was strongly against the practice of slavery Witnessed a slave be beaten when he was a child and never forgot it

Often rode into Missouri and attacked proslavery farms Would take their slaves Sometimes brought them to Canada or Northern States Once travel 1000 miles to take 11 slaves

Pottawatomie Creek Massacre Took his view to a new level Angry over an attack by bushwhackers in Lawrence Led by John Brown His sons and a few others Shot and knifed 5 proslavery men

Raid on Harpers Ferry Arsenal Rode to Harpers Ferry, Virginia to attack their arsenal Area were weapons were kept Wanted to take over the arsenal in order to supply slaves with weapons

His plan failed and he was convicted of treason Committing a crime against your country He was later hanged in Harpers Ferry, VA Very controversial

Martyr or Terrorist? Martyr: a person who is put to death or endures great suffering on behalf of any belief, principle, or cause Terrorist: A person who uses terror as a way to convince others of their views