Crossroads of Conflict
Contested visions of Freedom and the Missouri-Kansas Border Wars
James Walker
Clarksville, Arkansas
Lesson Plan Assignment
For High School Juniors
Title - John Brown: Villain or Hero
Objectives:
 Students will identify the roles of John Brown in the “Bleeding Kansas” and in
the Raid on Harpers Ferry.
 Students will analyze the impact of John Brown’s action on the sectional conflict
between the North and South.
 Students will evaluate the how John Brown has been portrayed in art.
 Students will assess the opposing views as a hero and as a villain.
Procedures:
Students will be divided into groups of three or four. They will be given the attached
documents and questions. They will be given time to read the documents and discuss the
questions. The whole class will then report the group conclusions to the questions and
will be given time to make individual comments as time allows.
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John Brown: Villain or Hero
John Brown was a renowned radical abolitionist who became famous for his role in the Pottawattamie
Massacre and the Raid on Harpers Ferry. Born in Connecticut in 1800, Brown was heavily influenced by
his Calvinist father whom instilled in his son a hatred for the institution of slavery. Brown went on to fail
in a number of business operations. But when the events of “Bleeding Kansas” heated up, he went there to
join his sons in an attempt to make the territory a free one. Eventually, he migrated back East, where he
plotted an attempt to begin a slave insurrection in Virginia that would spread from Harpers Ferry
throughout the South. Brown attempt failed, he was arrested, tried, and found guilty of treason. His much
publicized trail and execution was a significant factor in bringing on the American Civil War.
Directions: Read the documents and answer the questions that follow.
DOCUMENT A
The Kansas-Nebraska Act, which was passed in 1854, determined that the issue of slavery in the Kansas
Territory was to be decided by popular sovereignty. Thus began the race between pro-slavery and antislavery forces into the territory in order to win upcoming elections and establish a government based on
their respective views. The competition led to violence that became known as “Bleeding Kansas.” John
Brown joined his abolitionist sons there in 1855. In response to the sacking of the free-state town of
Lawrence by pro-slavery forces, Brown led a force of anti-slavery men on an expedition of vengeance in
May 1856. This resulted in the deaths of five pro-slavery men near Pottawatomie Creek in Kansas. The
victims were not slave-holders and were unarmed. They were hacked to death by a broadsword and the
incident became known at the Pottawatomie Massacre and one of the most famous events of “Bleeding
Kansas.” One of the victims was James P. Doyle. The following is a testimony of his widow, Mahala Doyle.
I am the widow of the late James P. Doyle. We moved into the Territory - that is, my husband, myself, and
children - moved into the Territory of Kansas some time in November, A. D. 1855, and settled on Mosquito
creek, about one mile from its mouth, and where it empties into Pottawatomie creek, in Franklin county;
that on Saturday, the 24th day of May, A. D. 1856, about 11 o'clock at night, after we had all retired, my
husband, James P. Doyle, myself, and five children, four boys and one girl—the eldest boy is about twentytwo years of age, his name is William; the next was about twenty years of age, his Drury; the next is about
sixteen years of age, his name is John; the next is about thirteen years of age, her name is Polly Ann; the
next is about ten years of age, his name is James; the next is about eight years of age, his name is Charles;
the next is about five years of age, his name is Henry—we were all in bed, when we heard some persons
come into the yard and rap at the door and call for Mr. Doyle, my husband. This was about 11 o'clock on
Saturday night of the 24th of May last. My husband got up and went to the door. Those outside inquired for
Mr. Wilkson [sic], and where he lived. My husband told them that he would tell them. Mr. Doyle, my
husband, opened the door, and several came into the house, and said that they were from the army. My
husband was a pro-slavery man. They told my husband that he and the boys must surrender, they were their
prisoners. These men were armed with pistols and large knives. They first took my husband out of the
house, then they took two of my sons—the two oldest ones, William and Drury—out, and then took my
husband and these two boys, William and Drury, away. My son John was spared, because I asked them in
tears to spare him. In a short time afterwards I heard the report of pistols. I heard two reports, after which I
heard moaning, as if a person was dying; then I heard a wild whoop. They had asked before they went
away for our horses. We told them that the horses were out on the prairie. My husband and two boys; my
sons, did not come back any more. I went out next morning in search of them, and found my husband and
William, my son, lying dead in the road near together, about two hundred yards from the house. 1
Earle, Jonathan. John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry: A Brief History with Documents. Boston:
Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2008. 56-57.
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DOCUMENT B
Following the event of the Pottawatomie Massacre, John Brown migrated back East where he worked to
raise funds from devout anti-slavery men for his ultimate abolitionist plan. This plan resulted in the wellknown Raid on Harpers Ferry of October 1859. In the raid, Brown led twenty-one men to the Harpers
Ferry, Virginia where they seized the US arsenal there. Brown hoped that this would be the beginning of a
slave insurrection that would sweep across the South and bring and end to the institutin of slavery.
Unfortunately for Brown, slaves did arrive to carry out his plan. Instead he was captured and ten of his
men were killed or mortally wounded. Within days, Brown was tried and found guilty of murder, treason,
and inciting insurrection. He was sentenced to die and was sent to the gallows on December 2, 1859. While
in prison, John Brown was allowed to write and receive many letters. The following letter was written to a
friend Reveren H. L. Vaill.
Charlestown, JEFFERSON COUNTY, VA., Nov. 15, 1859.
REV. H. L. VAILL.
MY DEAR, STEADFAST FRIEND, Your most kind and most welcome letter of the 8th inst. reached me
in due time. I am very grateful for all the good feeling you express, and also for the kind counsels you give,
together with your prayers in my behalf. Allow me here to say, notwithstanding "my soul is among lions,"
still I believe that u God in very deed is with me." You will not, there fore, feel surprised when I tell you
that I am "joyful in all my tribulations" that I do not feel condemned of Him whose judgment is just, nor of
my own conscience. Nor do I feel degraded by my imprisonment, my chains, or prospect of the Gallows. I
have not only been (though utterly unworthy) permitted to "suffer affliction with God's people," but have
also had a great many rare opportunities for preaching righteousness in the great congregation.” . . . Christ,
the great captain of liberty as well as of salvation, and who began his mission, as foretold of him, by
proclaiming it, saw fit to take from me a sword of steel after I had carried it for a time; but he has put
another in my hand ("the sword of the Spirit"), and I pray God to make me a faithful soldier, wherever he
may send me, not less on the scaffold than when surrounded by my warmest sympathizers. . . . As I believe
most firmly that God reigns, I cannot believe that anything I have done, suffered, or may yet suffer will be
lost to the cause of God or of humanity. And before I began my work at Harper's Ferry, I felt assured that in
the worst event it would certainly pay. I often expressed that belief ; and I can now see no possible cause to
alter my mind. I am not as yet, in the main, at all disappointed. . . .
But "God's will, not mine, be done." I feel a comfortable hope that, like that erring servant of whom I have
just been writing, even I may (through infinite mercy in Christ Jesus) yet "die in faith." As to both the time
and manner of my death, I have but very little trouble on that score, and am able to be (as you exhort) " of
good cheer." I send, through you, my best wishes to Mrs. W. l and her son George, and to all dear friends.
May the God of the poor and oppressed be the God and Savior of you all! Farewell, till we meet again.
Your friend in truth,
JOHN BROWN. 2
Earle, Jonathan. John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry: A Brief History with Documents. Boston:
Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2008. 93-94.
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DOCUMENT C
The following is the last letter written by John Brown and on the day he was hanged. It is known as the
Prophecy of John Brown.
Charlestown, Va, 2nd, December, 1859
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 verry much bloodshed; it might be done.3
DOCUMENT D
Southerners were outraged by the increasing activities of radical abolitionists in general and the Raid on
Harpers Ferry in particular. Southern newspapers were full of criticism of John Brown and northern
abolitionists. The following is from the Petersburg (Virginia) Express and is dated October 25, 1859.
This Harpers Ferry Affair is but a small eruption on the surface of a diseased body. Brown and his
desperados are but a sign of the cancerous disease with which a great part of northern society is polluted by
the traitorous views of men who have been raised to honor, and surrounded by applause, and maintained in
power, by whole communities, and even whole States. . . . The Harpers Ferry Affair was but premature
fruit. A whole harvest of sterner rebellion and bloodier collusion is growing up and ripening from the seed
these men have sown.
Disguise it as we may, large portions of the North are our enemies – more bitter, more deadly hostile than
though hereditary enmity had pitched their opposing hosts on a hundred battle-fields.4
Earle, Jonathan. John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry: A Brief History with Documents. Boston:
Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2008. 103.
4
Earle, Jonathan. John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry: A Brief History with Documents. Boston:
Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2008. 107-108.
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DOCUMENT E
John Brown’s Body was a song that became popular in the North during the Civil War. The song was
started as a humorous tribute by a group of Union soldiers to comrade, whom happened to also have the
name of John Brown. Soon lyrics were added to honor the famous abolitionist. Julia Ward Howe re-wrote
the lyrics and created the song The Battle Hymn of the Republic, a spiritual song that promoted the Union.
The following version of John Brown’s Body was written by William W. Patton in 1862.
John Brown's body lies a mouldering in the grave,
While weep the sons of bondage whom he ventured all to save,
But though he lost his life in struggling for the slave,
His soul is marching on.
Chorus: Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
His soul is marching on.
John Brown was a hero, undaunted, true and brave,
And Kansas knew his valor, when he fought her rights to save:
And now though the grass grows green above his grave,
His soul is marching on.
Glory, &c.
He captured Harpers Ferry with his nineteen men so few,
And he frighten’d Old Virginny till she trembled through and through:
They hung him for a traitor; themselves a traitor crew,
But his soul is marching on.
Glory, &c.
John Brown was John the Baptist, of Christ we are to see,
Christ who of the bondman shall the Liberator be,
And soon throughout the sunny South, the slaves shall all be free,
For his soul is marching on.
Glory, &c.
The conflict that he heralded, he looks from heaven to view,
On the army of the Union, with his flag Red, White, and Blue;
And heaven shall ring with anthems, o'er the deed they mean to do
For his soul is marching on.
Glory, &c.
Ye soldiers of freedom, then strike, while strike you may,
The death-blow of oppression in a better time and way;
For the dawn of old John Brown, has brightened into day,
And his soul is marching on.
Glory, &c. 5
Earle, Jonathan. John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry: A Brief History with Documents. Boston:
Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2008. 142-143.
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DOCUMENT F
Thomas Hovenden was commissioned to paint a picture of John Brown. His The Last Moments of John
Brown, shows the abolitionist on his way to the gallows and his death. The painting, which was finished in
1884, can now be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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Hovenden, Thomas. The Last Moments of John Brown. Painting. 1882-84. Wikipedia. 18 June 2007. 14
Aug. 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Hovenden>.
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DOCUMENT G
This mural entitled Tragic Prelude was painted by Thomas Curry and now rests in the Kansas Statehouse.
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QUESTIONS: Answer the following with a full explanation.
Was the violence carried out by John Brown justified?
Was it reasonable for Southerners to consider John Brown as a traitor?
How significant were the actions of John Brown in the intensifying conflict between the
North and South?
How is John Brown portrayed in the artwork?
Should John Brown be considered as a hero or a villain?
7
Curry, John Steuart. Tragic Prelude. Painting. 1938-40. Wikipedia. 6 February 2008. 14 Aug. 2010
< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:John_Brown_Painting.JPG>.
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