The Abolitionist Movement and John Brown

A resource developed in partnership with the Library of Congress, from the earliest days of our nation’s history, there were those who were opposed to the practice of slavery and wanted to “abolish” it. They became known as the abolitionists. It is important to know that, before the Civil War, the abolitionists were always small in number.
Abolitionists played a major role in supporting the Underground Railroad.
John Brown was a radical preacher determined to stir up a massive slave rebellion in the South. He gathered and trained a small band of followers on a Quaker farm near Springdale in Cedar County, Iowa. His assault on Harper’s Ferry, Virginia, failed to rouse slaves to rebellion, and he was captured and hanged. However, he became a symbol of resistance to slavery throughout the North and an object of deep hatred in the South.

Students will reflect on the following questions:
How did public opinion about John Brown change after his raid at Harpers Ferry?
How did Iowans view John Brown’s actions to help slaves escape?
What imagery did supporters of John Brown use to justify his actions?