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Who Is John Brown: Villain Or Hero?

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John Brown, a notable abolitionist of the 1850s, has been the subject of debate between many historians. People have viewed him either as a martyr, a terrorist, or a mix of both, but despite that, bias plays a key role in determining one’s opinion of him. For example, there is a youtube video called, “John Brown Explained: US history review,” by Hip Hughes. Hughes in his video repeatedly refers to John Brown as a “badass. This suggests Brown to be a tough guy who did what we wanted. In addition, he uses a song when talking about John Brown’s death to set a certain mood. This song called, “John Brown’s Body,” creates a sad and inspirational mood. Clearly, Hughes had bias in favor of John Brown.
Another example of bias, bias that’s not in favor of John Brown, comes from the article, “John Brown: Villain or hero?” By Steven Mintz. At the beginning of Mintz’s article, he compares John Brown’s attacks to terrorists attacks such as 9/11 and the Boston Marathon Bombing. In addition, after asking if John Brown was “...a …show more content…

I personally believe that he was too reckless and violent, but acknowledging that he did contribute to the antislavery cause is important. For example, during his 1858 Christmas Raid into Missouri, he managed to free eleven slaves from two different slaveholders. After freeing them, he led the slaves to freedom on a long journey to Canada. The fact that he was willing to face many obstacles trying to carry these slaves to freedom shows just how passionate John Brown was about abolition. However, this raid did have some unnecessary violence that could have been avoided. This was due to the fact that one of the slaveholders was killed by one of the raid members, allegedly because of self defense. This was completely reckless and was an example of the many reckless things John Brown has done. Another example of his recklessness was his raid on Harper’s

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1104 Words | 5 Pages

John Brown does choose a way of violence in a Harpers Ferry authority and the town itself, which is basically an insurrection. In “1854, Brown had been thinking, and talking, about an organized war against slavery in Virginia. His focus, from the beginning, seems to have been on Harpers Ferry, the site of a federal arsenal and armory” (Finkleman 5). He leads 21 men to the Harpers Ferry and made them destroy authorities like houses.

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584 Words | 3 Pages

John Brown was a villain because he killed innocent men, abused power and money given to him, and kidnapped two men. “He was not only a murderer of innocent persons, but he attempted one of the greatest crimes against society -- the stirring up of a servile and civil war.” (Document H, Our Harper’s Ferry and Charleston News) John Brown was an abolitionist who thought that slavery should end at any cost. He was hanged for treason in 1859 when he took his acts too far. To this day there is still controversy on whether or not he was a hero or villain based on the difference between his acts and intentions.

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“John Brown was known as a madman who used excessive force in order to achieve his goals” says Joseph R. Gilmore, but who was John Brown? John Brown was an abolitionist trying to free slaves, except he did that with so much violence and killing innocent people. It was also later revealed that those weren’t even his true intentions. This information is very important since most people think that he was an amazing person who just wanted to free slaves, but that was not the whole truth. John Brown was a villain because he killed innocent people and took them captive, he lied about everything in court, and he tried to start a civil war.

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626 Words | 3 Pages

“I deny everything but what I have all along admitted, [...]” John Brown stated at his trial in 1859. John Brown was an abolitionist who attempted to end slavery, but his methods differed from most. Brown used violence to free slaves, and he was both loved and hated by people. He was a man of many titles: violence, lying, murder. It is a well-known question: Is John Brown a villain or a hero?

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330 Words | 2 Pages

John Brown was a good man. He fought for what he believed in and he had good intentions. Brown did the things he did to help free slaves. John Brown was not a terrorist. He was a freedom fighter.

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The second reason, John Brown led a revolt. “These men are all talk, what we need is action, action!” John Brown said before He and his men (in October 16, 1859) raided the Federal Arsenal armory, and as a result, shook the south. Upon hearing he was going to be hung he stated: “…if it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life for the furtherance of the ends 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 enactments--I submit; so let it be done!”

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784 Words | 4 Pages

John Brown was a Villain. “John Brown was not only a murderer of innocent persons, but he attempted one of the greatest crimes against society -- the stirring of a servile and civil war” (Document H). John Brown’s actions have caused many people to suffer injuries or even death. He’s caused many problems and committed crimes including treason, murder, and destruction of property. This is important because he was the spark that started the first modern war, the Civil War.

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Hero or villain Guilty or innocent? The case of John Brown gets debated and questioned often. But many people don't know what actually happened or the reasons why he is guilty. “ Old John Brown…. agreed with us thinking slavery is wrong, but that cannot excuse violence bloodshed and treason.

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549 Words | 3 Pages

Have you ever wondered who played the biggest role in the abolishment of slavery? John Brown was an abolitionist in the 1800s who played one of the major roles in the ending of slavery. Back then, the country was divided and the only thing that separated them was the topic of slavery. Slavery, obvious to us now, is very bad and John Brown contributed to the cause by trying to end it. John Brown was a hero because he freed a ton of slaves, he brought most people’s concerns over slavery to action, and without the extreme actions he took, slavery might not be over today.

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“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.

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“We rejoice that old BROWN has been hung. He was not only a murderer of innocent persons, but he attempted one of the greatest crimes against society” (Charlestown News Document H). John Brown, an abolitionist who made many choices in his life, both good and bad. There are many people who think that John Brown is a hero, while there are also many people who think John Brown was a villain. This topic is important because both heroes and villains have an impact on people’s lives, whether positive or negative, it’s an impact.

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869 Words | 4 Pages

He took part in some very violent conflicts against pro-slavery supporters and did some wild things in the name of banishing slavery. The real question is whether he is a hero or a villain, and I believe that John Brown was a hero because he returned stolen property when he realized it was already owned, tons of people believed in and supported him, and he died to end slavery. Firstly, he is a proven good man because he returned stolen property

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1684 Words | 7 Pages

They could not agree with his violent tactics, but “respect[ed] his character and actions” because “he did not recognize unjust human laws, but resisted them.” When he was alive many did not listen to Brown’s speeches because he was often seen as too violent, and even after death abolitionist did not condone his use of violence but was proud to live by his example to interfere to free slaves. Henry David Thoreau stated in “A Plea for Captain John Brown” that “the question is not about the weapon, but the spirit in which you use it.” Thoreau is arguing for Brown in that most cases most the violence we encounter is often for nothing, but Brown was using violence to support something he saw was unjust. Since Brown could kill for his views of slavery, why couldn’t those who matched his view find an alternative way to bring an end to slavery and an end to the violence.

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752 Words | 4 Pages

John Brown, a hero in the eyes of Northern extremists, his actions supposedly justified by God and the lives of five people which he stole. When John Brown and group of supporters attacked Harpers Ferry that killed a total of five men, it caused a controversial conflict of impressions towards him to this today. Brown’s exact intentions for abolishing slavery is vaguely known, but being a white male with all his rights and privilege, why was John Brown was so passionate about ending slavery if it wasn’t affecting him? Regardless, John Brown ended up killing five different men, and caused terror amongst others, the amount of people killed does not differ the effects it has caused to others. While some see John Brown as a fighter, the use of

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455 Words | 2 Pages

Looking at what he has fought for, it’s no doubt that he fought for a noble cause which is the freedom of slavery. John Brown shouldn’t be known as hero or terrorists because of want he has done applies to both sides. John Brown shouldn’t be known as a terrorist or a national hero because of his violent attack and raids. After, September 11, 2001 John Brown has been called a terrorist which has caused controversy about Brown’s legacy and reputation. Furthermore, in the article, The 9/11 of 1859 says, “He led 21 men all but two in their 20s, and many of them radicalized by guerilla fighting in Bleeding Kansas, the abolitionists’ Afghanistan”(Horowitz).

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