John Brown: a Terrorist and a Patriot

Introduction

Was John Brown a terrorist or a patriot? John Brown was a contentious abolitionist who helped free slaves. While he was seen as a criminal by many, his actions spurred a movement that fought against slavery. Although his methods were questionable, his intentions were noble. Brown was also referred to as “the most successful terrorist in American history” by Tony Horowitz (Horowitz, 2011). In this context, Brown was successful, not as a terrorist, but as a man who persistently stood for the dignity of humankind. As someone who fought against slavery, he deserves to be considered a hero.

John Brown: A Patriot, Not a Terrorist

Brown was not a terrorist but a patriot. He demonstrated heroic qualities because he fought to abolish slavery. As he stated, “I went into Missouri and took slaves without the snapping of a gun on either side, moved them through the country, and finally left them in Canada” (Brown, 1859). His motive was not to hurt anyone but to help those in need. He was willing to do anything to eradicate slavery. Although his actions were perceived as horrible by people in Kansas and Missouri, he was undoubtedly a patriot to the North. Frederick Douglass remarked, “To the outward eye of men, John Brown was a criminal. But to the inward eye, he was a just man and true. His deeds might be disowned, but the spirit which made those deeds possible was worthy of the highest honor” (Douglass, 1881). His actions might have been rejected, but the spirit behind them was ethical and honorable.

On the contrary, people called him “insane,” but was he really? Wouldn't you call Hitler “insane” for killing millions, whereas Brown only killed five? In this context, his actions are not considered “violent” or insane. He targeted those who supported slavery. Brown’s actions were the first step toward ending slavery, giving Americans hope. A grateful voice thanked him, saying, “In the name of the young girl sold from the warm clasp of a mother’s arms to the clutches of a libertine or a profligate,—in the name of the slave mother, her heart rocked to and fro by the agony of her mournful separations,—I thank you for being brave enough to reach out your hands to the crushed and blighted of my race” (Anonymous, 1859). This gratitude underscores that even though Brown was a white man, he still helped slaves during a time of dire need.

The Complexity of John Brown’s Legacy

In the eyes of the Northern states, Brown was seen as a freedom fighter. His actions were astonishing, as he stood for what he believed in and did whatever it took to abolish slavery. He became a martyr to the North, a hero who was executed for his beliefs. Although his methods were tragic, it was unjust that he was hanged for fighting against pro-slavery forces. What wrong did he commit that warranted execution? Terrorism is described as intentional violence to achieve a political or religious end. While Brown did kill civilians, his actions were not indiscriminate.

Brown’s actions sparked a debate about terrorism. He was labeled a terrorist for his violent acts in Kansas. “In 1857, his band of men had killed several proslavery settlers in ‘Bleeding Kansas,’ hacking to death five men along Pottawatomie Creek with short, heavy swords” (Horowitz, 2011). He was a criminal in Kansas and Missouri, stealing guns from the government and arming others, including two of his sons. He murdered five men, was found guilty, and was hanged for his actions. Brown and his men were executed for taking over a government facility and committing murder. Despite his violent methods, his true intention was to free slaves, and people need to acknowledge that he fought against slavery as a white man, a feat few others could achieve.

Conclusion

John Brown was a hero who helped free slaves. He was hanged on December 2, 1859, but his legacy endures as a pivotal figure in the fight against slavery.

References

Brown, J. (1859). Speech to the Court. In The Life and Letters of John Brown. Retrieved from [source].

Douglass, F. (1881). John Brown: An Address at the Fourteenth Anniversary of Storer College. In The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass. Retrieved from [source].

Horowitz, T. (2011). Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid That Sparked the Civil War. Henry Holt and Company.

Anonymous. (1859). Gratitude to John Brown. Retrieved from [source].