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

Description

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. Stewart talks about Boston - slavery expands, wealthy gentlemen consider violence, Burns/Higginson - liberation by violence?, Higginson - John Brown marginal/away from this scene & others, Violence in Congress - John Brown's thoughts on violence end to slavery, Violence - during speaker of house election, Sumner - Americans shocked, sign of slave power triumph, Violence in Congress - people were armed, drunk, Kansas - Nebraska Act - violent, led US to civil war, Kansas - Nebraska Act - disaster for Douglass, hoped peaceful.

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28 minutes

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Alexander Street

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