John Brown, an abolitionist who was raised in Ohio by a family whose members were totally against slavery, was the leader of a small group of people who went to raid an armoury which belonged to the federal government and was stored in Harper’s Ferry in West Virginia (formerly Virginia) in October 16 the year 1859 at night. The main reason for the raid was to start an armed revolt against slavery which they hoped would help bring to an end the whole institution of slavery which was so strong during that time 1 . The starting point of the idea for starting a revolt was an abolition meeting which took place in the year 1837 which made him to publicly announce that he was totally dedicated to ensuring that the whole slavery institution came to an end.
After the raid on Harper’s Ferry by John Brown, the reactions by people in the North were different from those in the South. In the south, people became extremely fearful because there were many slaves who were working there and a situation in which slaves were well armed as John Brown intended would be dangerous for all of them. For instance, in the letter from Margaretta Mason to Lydia Child, Margaretta writes, “You would sooth with sisterly and motherly care the hoary dreaded murder of Harper’s ferry!” 2 In the North, some people applauded what Jon Brown had done and even mourned his death when he was hanged. For instance, to prove that she was an abolitionist, Lydia Child wrote in her letter to Margaretta Mason, “Abolitionists also have favourite texts, to some of which I would call your attention.” 3 However, it should be noted that only a few people from the North supported Brown’s actions but those from the South got angry with that and the difference between the two enlarged making the civil war inevitable. Even though John Brown was killed after he was found guilty of the raid on Harper’s ship, much can be learnt from the letters that describe the incidence. As stated above, the action was the main reason for the divide that occurred between the North and the South and was a main cause for the civil war.
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References list
Bisson, Terry. 2009. "John Brown — 150 Years after Harpers Ferry". Monthly Review 61 (5): 37. Doi: 10.14452/mr-061-05-2009-09_4.
1 Terry Bisson, "John Brown — 150 Years after Harpers Ferry" (2009), 37
2 Terry Bisson, (2009), 18
3 Terry Bisson, (2009), 19
