Notes on John Brown, Dred Scott, and Harpers Ferry

John Brown and His Actions in Kansas

• John Brown's Turmoil
  • A prominent abolitionist known for violent actions against pro-slavery supporters during the Bleeding Kansas period.
  • Notable for dragging individuals from homes and violently attacking them.

Dred Scott Decision

• Background
  • The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, ruled on the Dred Scott case.
  • Decision declared:
  • Dred Scott was not free.
  • Congress had no authority to prohibit slavery in any territory.
  • Affirmed that people of color could not be American citizens.
• Northern Reaction
  • Infuriated the North, highlighting the dominance of Southern interests within the Supreme Court, which was predominantly composed of Democrats, many of whom were Southerners.
  • According to population estimates:
  • North: 23 million.
  • South: 9 to 11 million.

John Brown's Radicalism

• Desperation and Motivation
  • The Dred Scott decision heightened Brown's resolve to combat slavery.
  • Believed that drastic action was necessary to stir a mass insurrection among slaves.
• Partnership with Frederick Douglass
  • Attempted to recruit Douglass to join his plans to initiate a revolution against slavery.
  • Brown’s plans considered radical, even for contemporary abolitionist measures.

Raid on Harpers Ferry

• Planning the Raid
  • Brown and 21 followers aimed to seize a federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry.
  • The arsenal was to be used to arm slaves and incite rebellion in the South.
• Execution of the Raid
  • Silently approached the arsenal, taking precautions by cutting telegraph wires to delay communication.
  • Encountered Haywood Shepherd, a free black man, and accidentally killed him, mistaking them for robbers.
• Aftermath of the Raid
  • Harpers Ferry occupants quickly mobilized against Brown after realizing the siege.
  • Colonel Robert E. Lee led U.S. Marines to suppress the raid, resulting in Brown’s capture.

Legal Consequences and Public Perception

• Trial and Sentencing
  • Convicted of treason, murder, and conspiracy with Black individuals to incite insurrection.
• Impact on Public Opinion
  • Came to symbolize the fears of Southern whites regarding white abolitionists and slaves joining forces.
  • Angered Southern pro-slavery advocates while galvanizing Northern abolitionists.

Legacy of John Brown's Actions

• Cultural Significance
  • Despite failure to ignite a major slave revolt, Brown became a martyr for the abolitionist cause.
• Monuments and Commemorations
  • The first monument to Brown was established in 1918, recognizing the importance of his actions and ideology.
  • Controversial memorials, including commemorations of both Brown and the victims of his raid, highlight the ongoing conflict over historical narratives.

Conflicting Memorials

• Dedication of Memorials
  • The United Daughters of the Confederacy erected a memorial to Haywood Shepherd, attempting to frame the narrative surrounding the insurrection.
  • The NAACP responded with plaques contextualizing John Brown's role in the abolitionist movement.

Importance of Historical Context

• Examining Historical Narratives
  • The perpetuation of these monuments reflects ideological battles concerning memory and historical interpretation.
  • Understanding the nuances in the depiction of these events is crucial in grasping broader historical themes related to race, class, and conflict in America.