Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Pottawatomie Creek Massacre
John Brown, seeking revenge for the sack of Lawrence, Kansas, made Kansas even more bloody. Read about the Pottawatomie Massacre and its reverberations throughout Kansas.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Fort Scott National Historic Site: Bleeding Kansas
Discusses the effects of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. In particular, the site details incidents from the period known as "Bleeding Kansas."
Curated OER
National Park Service: Dr. Stephen Oates on John Brown
This site presents audio and video clips of an interview with Dr. Stephen B. Oates conducted at Harpers Ferry National Historic Park on June 30, 1994. Dr. Oates comments on John Brown's impact upon the nation with regard to the slavery...
South Carolina Educational Television
Etv: Artopia: Painting Critic: The Life of John Brown, No. 11 by Jacob Lawrence
A painting of antislavery fighter John Brown leading an attack on horseback against settlers who supported slavery. Provides a short biography of the artist, Jacob Lawrence, questions about the painting for students to answer, and an...
Other
Course Notes: Us History: 1840 1877: Expansion and Slavery
A list with short descriptions of the issues and events that impacted the expansion of the frontier, with slavery being the most significant issue.
Read Works
Read Works: John Brown's Antislavery Raid
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about John Brown and his anti-slavery efforts. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: John Brown's Antislavery Raid
[Free Registration/Login Required] This ReadWorks passage provides a brief history of John Brown, an American abolitionist. A paired passage, a lower level passage with related content, and a question sheet are available to help students...
American Battlefield Trust
American Battlefield Trust: Civil War: Trigger Events of the Civil War
A list with descriptions of the major events that led up to the outbreak of the Civil War.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Westward Expansion and Reform
Part of a longer time line describing the history of the American West, this section covers the period 1829 to 1859 with hyperlinks to stories and people of this time period.
Black Past
Black Past: Douglass, Frederick
This encyclopedia entry gives a brief overview of the inspirational life of Fredrick Douglass, abolitionist, essayist, and promoter of rights for everyone. There are references to several of his stirring essays.
PBS
Pbs: Africans in America: Harriet Tubman (1820 1913)
Here is a brief article from PBS on the life and accomplishments of abolitionist Harriet Tubman, who risked her life on several occasions to ensure the freedom of others. Links to a teacher's guide and primary sources are provided.
Other
History Net: The Madness of John Brown
Was John Brown mad, suffering from a mental disorder or perfectly sane? This article briefly contrasts the possibilities. (July 2009)
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: John Brown's Raid
John Brown was considered a madman by many and a martyr by others. Read about his ill-fated raid on the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. Why did this raid cause such a reaction in the Southern states?
Digital History
Digital History: Antislavery Timeline
A timeline of actions tied to the prohibition of or ending of slavery from the meeting of the Continental Congress in 1774 to John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry in 1859.
Civil War Home
Home of the American Civil War: John Brown
This website details the life of John Brown, the abolitionist, including his attack at Pottawatomie and the raid at Harpers Ferry. Information is from Historical Times Encyclopedia of the Civil War.
The History Place
The History Place: The Kansas Nebraska Act
This site from The History Place talks about the Kansas Nebraska Act and the effects caused by its creation. The information is brief but very helpful for the subject.
The History Place
The History Place: Great Speeches: William Lloyd Garrison on Death of John Brown
A speech delivered by William Lloyd Garrison after John Brown was hanged for leading the slave rebellion at Harpers Ferry in 1859. In his speech, Garrison advocates for taking a stand against slavery by seceding the North from the South.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Kids History: John Brown and the Harpers Ferry Raid
Explore an attempt at a slave uprising at Harpers Ferry to end slavery by John Brown during the Civil War on this site.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Quiz: Harpers Ferry and John Brown for Kids
History Questions: Harpers Ferry and John Brown Quiz, Test, and WebQuest
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Secession
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart describes events leading to secession, including John Brown's Raid, Lincoln's election, and South Carolina's break with the Union. It also includes information on the first states to...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Trouble in Kansas
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart contains information about the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the violence that followed in Kansas. It contains photographs of key figures.
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: John Brown
Comprehensive overview presents a biography and detailed facts and information on the famous events during the life of John Brown.
Curated OER
Idealized Portrayal of John Brown
This site provides several maps which depict the slave states and the free states. There are links that will connect you with an abolitionist song and information on John Brown.