John Brown Biography

W.E.B Du Bois’ biography on John Brown represents Brown as a man who centered his reasoning for fighting against slavery on his religion and personal morals. This biography allows readers to gain insight on why Browns role in the history of slavery and treatment of African Americans. Brown believed that God created all men free and equal and deserved the same type of treatment. The oppression of African Americans created conflict and hatred in the United States. As a man of action Brown believed in doing anything to end slavery and the hatred in the United States. John Brown was a martyr to people who opposed slavery and his beliefs and actions affected the history of the United States.

W.E.B Du Bois’s purpose for writing this biography

In the period in which John Brown lived, slavery had caused a division within the United States. Whites saw themselves as being superior to African Americans, and since Africans Americans did not look like the other white Americans people did not see them as human. They also believed only humans had rights. Since whites did not see African Americas as human the African Americans had no rights, which allowed whites to force African Americans to work for them. However, not all whites agreed with this idea. John Brown viewed slavery as a hateful crime. When Du Bois writes about Brown he portrays Brown as a heroic figure. Du Bois says, “…John Brown knew far more than most white men and it was on this great knowledge that his great faith was based.” (G.S p.235) Brown was a smart educated man, on many levels, and because of this he knew right from wrong. Du Bois also refers to Brown as a prophet. Brown firmly believed in what the Bible taught, and used it as a source to help fight against slavery. The Bible taught people to love everyone as

It remains unknown as to why Du Bois wanted to write a biography about Brown being a hero. By looking at the purpose the document presented and the content in the document it can be concluded that Du Bois wrote this to tell about race and race relation in the United States during his time. Du Bois used Browns life as a way to convey a history of slavery and the treatment of African Americans. Slavery had ended but African Americans still faced the issue of oppression. African Americans gained their freedom but they still whites didn’t view them as real citizens. Du Bois believed that African Americans were equal and deserved the same rights the whites had. Du Bois wrote, “Destroy it….was he wrong? No. The forcible staying of human uplift by barriers of law, and might, and tradition is the most wicked thing on earth.” (G.S p.236) Du Bois believed that people need to use actions instead of words in the fight for equality. Brown took action in his fight against slavery and ultimately helped to end slavery. Du Bois believes African Americans need to fight for what they believe in, and start taking action and do things that would allow them to have the same right as the whites. Such as, go out and make a place for themselves in society to show others they are just like