Curated OER
Slavery and Abolition: Three Unforgettable Names
Students research the people and events involved in the abolitionist movement prior to the U.S. Civil War. They read about and discuss the roles of Nat Turner, Harriet Tubman, and John Brown. Students complete a word splash, Venn...
Curated OER
Gold Rush Abolitionists: What Impact did John Brown have on U.S. history?
Students examine the impact that John Brown had on American history. In this human rights lesson, students discover details about the raid on Harpers Ferry and the implications it held for the American Civil War.
Curated OER
Territorial Characters
Eleventh graders study the Kansas Territory. In this American History lesson, 11th graders read ten biographical cards and summarize the main ideas. Students create cards to play Who am I?
Curated OER
John Brown Lesson Plan
Students create timelines of the Harper's Ferry Raid. In this Civil War lesson, students analyze information and music related to John Brown and his abolitionist work. Students design timelines that document the events that led to and...
Curated OER
John Brown Lesson Plan
Students investigate John Brown. In this U.S. history slavery lesson, students view a PowerPoint presentation about John Brown. Students discuss the North's and South's reaction to John Brown's raid, and determine whether they think...
Curated OER
Trial of John Brown, 1857
Students examine how John Brown's 1857 trial related to conflicting viewpoints on slavery, view perspectives of radical abolitionists, moderate abolitionists, and slave owners, and form their own opinions on issue of slavery.
Curated OER
This Guilty Land
Students read and discuss several informational cards about John Brown, the historical context he lived in and his abolitionist cause. They complete a character chart and write an epitaph that conveys their opinion of his actions.
Curated OER
Do We See What We Know?
Eighth graders compare two visual works of art about John Brown. They read a text or listen to an interview, and identify information about him. They debate their opinions using evidence in written and visual texts. They research other...
Curated OER
John Brown, Then and Now
Eleventh graders identify some of the ways that the raid at Harper's Ferry influenced the Civil War. They articulate the different ways that people though about John Brown in the 1800's and how his persona may or may not have changed...
Curated OER
Last Moments of John Brown
Students read the history of John Brown. Using the internet, they research commentaries on the raid at Harper's Ferry. After observing a painting, "The Last Moments of John Brown," students analyze and write about what they see, think...
Curated OER
Creating a Narrative of John Brown
Students investigate the events of the Harper's Ferry raid. Using primary source documents, they complete a chart showing the different view points of the raid. They discuss the possible biases of the authors and the effect of this...
Curated OER
Dear Wife and Children Everyone
Middle schoolers study the issue of slave vs. free states. They explore the actions and personal commitment of John Brown and write a newspaper article about the Battle of Osawatomie from John Brown's perspective.
Curated OER
This Guilty Land
Middle schoolers examine the time period just before the start of the Civil War. They focus on John Brown, an activist of the day. After a lecture/demo, students use a worksheet imbedded in this plan to further their understanding of the...
Curated OER
Dear Wife & Children Every One
Middle schoolers explore the struggle that Kansans had over the slavery issue. They read a letter from John Brown to his family, and write a newspaper article about the Battle of Osawatomie from John Brown's perspective.
Library of Congress
Loc: African American Mosaic: Conflict of Abolition and Slavery
Historical documents trace how the abolitionists virulently decried slavery and denounced those who supported it.
Digital History
Digital History: Explorations: John Brown: Hero or Terrorist?
Comprehensive account explores John Brown, the Attack at Harper's Ferry, and his trial. You decide if he was a hero or a terrorist.
University of Virginia
University of Virginia: John Brown and the Valley of the Shadow
This site provides a look at John Brown's life. Content includes a chronology of events in his life, a look at his family and cohorts, newspaper articles, eyewitness accounts, and more.
Henry J. Sage
Sage American History: John Brown at Harper's Ferry
Article on John Brown's raid on the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry including excerpts from the U.S. Senate report on the case as well as John Brown's last speech and letter.
PBS
Pbs: Bleeding Kansas 1853 1861
This site details events surrounding the era known as "Bleeding Kansas" due to the conflict surrounding slavery in what is now Kansas.
PBS
Pbs: New Perspectives on the West
This in-depth resource presents a history of the American West from pre-Columbian times until World War I with profiles, documents, and images. It encourages visitors to link these into patterns of historical meaning for themselves....
Brown University
Brown University Library: Voyage of the Slave Ship Sally: 1764 65
Providence, Rhode Island's Nicholas Brown and Company owned a slave ship, Sally. Sally is documented for many trips to Africa to pick up slaves. The slaves would be delivered to Caribbean Islands in exchange for sugar and molasses to...
OpenStax
Open Stax: John Brown and the Election of 1860
By reading this section from a chapter on " The Tumultuous 1850s," students will be able to describe John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry and analyze the results of the election of 1860.
Other
Geni: American Abolitionist Movement
Looks at the history of the abolitionist movement in the United States, the key people involved, and important events.
Stanford University
Beyond the Bubble: John Brown's Legacy
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students answer questions about a poster for a play written in 1936 that celebrates the abolitionist John Brown, who tried to start a slave revolt in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1859.