He brutally kills many innocent people just because they are in his way. Although John Brown tries to end slavery, which is a good deed, he does use violence, and murder people who are innocent; therefore, John Brown is guilty of murder, treason, and insurrections. John Brown not only starts a very violent insurrection, almost like a war. He also brutally murders people who are just in his way. Insurrection means a violent uprising against authority.
In document F, John Brown says, “I have, it may please the Court, a few words to say. In the first place, I deny everything but what I have all along admitted.”. He also said in document G that his statements clashed and that he did not intend for there to be any killing, but just to place the slaves in a condition to defend their liberties. This example shows that John Brown was untrustworthy and went against his word by denying all of his actions and even admitting to his statements not matching up at all. He also said that he did not intend for there to be any killing.
Ten of Brown’s men were killed. Brown and some of his followers were captured. Brown and six of his men were brought to trial for treason. They were all found guilty and were hanged. But was John Brown a hero or a criminal?
John Brown shows his violence in multiple raids for example, in John Brown’s Violent Rebellion t-chart where it states, “In 1859, John Brown, with 18 to 20 other people, attack the armory at Harpers Ferry”(John Brown T chart). John Brown chose to take a violent and aggressive manner of handling his viewpoint of slavery. When he attacks Harpers Ferry he had the plan of acquiring more weapons for him and his group in order to advance in the fight against slavery. His violence led to the death of many who did believe in slavery as well as the death of many who were opposed as they would go out and risk their lives to end slavery. John Brown gave others against slavery the power and will to take action and fight against the act of slavery as his and his sons’ bravery proved be one of the major points of injustice that led to the gruesome Civil War and
John Brown should be considered a traitor for three reasons, he killed five people, he led a revolt, and he armed slaves. The first reason, John Brown killed five people. He, in cold blood killed 5 white men in a field for what? Owning slaves?
He saw the wrong in owning slaves. He believed what he was doing and what he believed in was right not wrong. He was hung with the pleasure of knowing he made an impact on the world. John Brown tried very hard to do anything to please god and free slaves.
John Brown was a murderer who shot three innocent family members. “...entered my house at midnight and arrested my husband and two boys and took them out of the yard and in cold blood shot them dead in my hearing, you can’t say you did it to free our slaves, we had none and never expected to own one...” (Mahala Doyle Document E). John Brown mentions in his speech during his trial that his ultimate goal was to abolish slavery without violence. However, the murder of three men with no interest in slaves does not fit that plan.
According to document H, many people were happy he got hanged and many people were questioning his actions and saying they were wrong. This clearly shows that John Brown’s actions were not
Brown also did not care if he died and wishes to join his sons and the millions of other slaves. To support this, in Document A Brown states ¨Now if it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life to further end the end of justice, and mingle my blood further with the blood of my children and with the blood of millions in this slave country whose rights are disregarded by wicked, cruel, and unjust
He was an abolitionist who believed that slavery was wrong. The reason why he is guilty is because even though he was just trying to help, he hurt many people in the process. It is understandable that he was just trying to follow through with what he was thinking but he brought innocent people into it. John brown is guilty of three charges. One of three being treason.
“I never intended murder or treason, or the destruction of property[...] or to make insurrection,” were the words of John Brown in 1859 before being sentenced to death. John Brown was a well-known abolitionist hoping to end slavery in the 1800s, using techniques many would deem brutal. However, he also had many allies willing to help him in any way to achieve his goal. There have been many debates on whether the strong-willed man should be considered a hero for trying to end slavery, or a criminal for using violent methods. John Brown was a villain because he was untrustworthy, his supporters disapproved of his actions, and his measures to end slavery were incredibly violent.
Lastly, we acknowledge the fact that he died to end slavery. John Brown raided Harpers Ferry, the home of the U.S. arsenal. His goal was to steal weapons from the arsenal to give to many slaves in hopes that they would revolt against their masters and other pro-slavery supporters. However, he and his followers were caught and later hanged for treason. With one speech at his trial and one letter sent after he was sentenced, John Brown didn’t try to escape or plead; he accepted his execution and died as a fierce martyr for all of the slaves and abolitionists (Documents F and G).
John Garraty describes Brown as so deranged “that rather than hang him for “dreadful act” …. It would have been far wiser and more just to have committed him to an asylum” (Davidson & Lytle, p. 154). Another historian, Allen Nevins, takes the middle ground on Brown and states, “all questions except for slavery, Brown would act coherently and rationally” (Davidson & Lytle, p. 154). A more contemporary biographer, Stephen Oates, in 1970, said Brown was ““not normal” that he had an excitable temperament and was obsessed with slavery” (Davidson & Lytle, p. 154). Brown had a history of actions against slavery, five months earlier before the raid on Harper’s Ferry, “Brown led a band of seven men (including four of his sons) in a midnight raid on some proslavery settlers at Pottawatomie Creek” (Davidson & Lytle, p. 156).
Most people who kill others get punished pretty surverily and if this is the case he should too. No one who kills anyone has a reason, and this is completely uncalled for. If people went as far as wanting to watch John Brown get hanged, he must have been a very bad person. John Brown committed treason and destroyed people's property. John Brown committed treason and destroyed people’s property.
He was a fifty-nine years old when he was executed by the state of Virginia for treason, partnering with African Americans, and for attempted murder. In order to debate whether John Brown was a terrorist, it is important to evaluate its meaning. The term “terrorism” is defined as the use to inflict violence and intimidation in order to achieve political, religious, or ideological aim. According to the apologists view, the actions that lead up to terrorist acts are merely situational.
