John Brown: American Hero or Terrorist? When some people think of the name John Brown, they think of a man who fought to free slaves at any cost, even if it meant losing his own life and that of his own son’s. However, while John brown may at first glance seem like a brave, selfless man, when one actually looks at the facts, they will find a much different story. This essay asserts that John Brown was a violent man who organized several brutal murders against pro-slavers, fits all the legal definitions of a domestic terrorist and the defining characteristics of terrorism as a whole, even including international terrorism. In short, John Brown was nothing more than a terrorist From the time John Brown was living in Massachusetts to the Pottawatomie …show more content…
The State of Virginia began Tuesday October 25 1859. His official charges were treason against the Commonwealth, multiple first-degree murders, and inciting an insurrection among Virginia slaves. The venue was the Virginia State Circuit Courthouse in Charles Town, which was the county seat capital of Jefferson County. Brown argued that his offenses had occurred on Federal property and he should be tried as such, but he was denied. Due to the venue and nature of the case, it is likely that Brown received inadequate counsel to defend him. Browns defense was appointed by the state despite their strong objection and misgivings to the case. Upon beginning the trial, Browns defense immediately admitted Browns crimes, and apologized to the community for defending him. Brown’s lawyer then was replaced by George H. Hoyt, a prominent lawyer and abolitionist. His first move was to request more time for the trial due to Browns wounds not being healed yet. This was denied. After the rejection, Browns defense claimed that Harpers Ferry Federal Armory was not on Virginia property. However, since the people had died outside the perimeter of the facility, this carried no weight with the …show more content…
Finally, despite Brown’s claims that his actions were never meant to hurt anyone – only to free slaves, his actions clearly show otherwise. To some, John Brown may be considered a hero, but in reality, when you look at the facts, John Brown was nothing more than a terrorist. He was a violent man who organized several brutal murders against pro-slavers, fits all the legal definitions of a domestic terrorist and the defining characteristics of terrorism as a whole – including international terrorism. John brown may, at first glance seem like a hero, but when one actually looks at the facts, you find that he was nothing more than a