American experience. John Brown's holy war. 3 of 5

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Martyr, madman, murderer, hero: John Brown remains one of history's most controversial and misunderstood figures. In the 1850s, he and his ragtag guerrilla group embarked on a righteous crusade against slavery that was based on religious faith -- yet carried out with shocking violence. His execution at Harpers Ferry sparked a chain of events that led to the Civil War. Washington talks about Failure - at business could succeed as abolitionist, Lovejoy - death monumentally important to John Brown, Abolitionists - didn't work to end discrimination in North, John Brown wasn't like that", North Elba dinner w/blacks - though antislavery, Dana appalled, Abolition - John Brown's absolutism, equal is equal, Douglass - John Brown met a cultured, articulate accomplished man, Douglass - represented possibility, John Brown divulged plans to him, Douglass/Raid - couldn't follow John Brown, it was a kind of suicide, Douglass/Raid - wanted to go, but couldn't, knew it would fail, Douglass/Raid - more important to live for cause than die for it".