John Brown Hypocrisy Analysis

It must be remembered that, when analyzing history, it is particularly important to keep hypocrisy in check. The double-standard can too often be attributed to negative views of John Brown prominent among some historians. Many of the historians who do not praise John Brown still praise the Founding Fathers of the United States. This is a fundamentally hypocritical position. Many of the Founding Fathers praise the use of violence and rebellion for freedom. Take one of Thomas Jefferson’s famous quotes for instance. In a letter to William Smith, Thomas Jefferson wrote, “what country before ever existed a century & half without a rebellion? & what country can preserve it's liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the

Even though he appeared to fail at Harpers Ferry, he actually won a strategic victory for abolitionism. This was because he handled his jail time and trial expertly. Before his trial, he authored about 100 letters that he sent to family members, editors, and newspapers all around the country (Blight, “The Election of 1860 and the Secession Crisis”). This helped turn his raid into a news sensation. He knew that if he could get the attention of newspapers across the nation, he would ultimately gain the sympathy of many northerners. This would end up helping the abolitionist movement. Like any martyr, he wanted to have powerful words that would inspire people. On the day of his execution, he handed his jailer a note. The note read, “I John Brown am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with Blood. I had as I now think, vainly flattered myself that without very much bloodshed it might be done (Marrin 136).” With these words, he prophesied the bloody Civil War that would bring about the end of slavery. He was urging his fellow abolitionists to