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?
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)
Digital History
Digital History: John Brown at Harper's Ferry [Pdf]
Find out about the influences in John Brown's life that led him to think inciting a slave insurrection would be the way to get rid of slavery. Read about his actions in Kansas, and the raid he planned at Harper's Ferry. [pdf]
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry
This collection uses primary sources to document John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry and the broad range of responses it provoked across the country. Includes a teaching guide.
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.
Other
Ny History Net: The "Black Dream" of Gerrit Smith, New York Abolitionist
This site talks about the life of abolitionist Gerrit Smith, who was convicted in the John Brown Raid on Harpers Ferry but maintained innocence in any involvement in planning the raid.
Other
John Brown Raid: 1859 Raid on Harpers Ferry
Commemorating John Brown's historic Harpers Ferry raid of 1859, this site has lots of information about Brown and the raid. The Educational Resources page is helpful for lesson materials. The links on the pressroom page will help you...
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.
PBS
Pbs: Cet: Africans in America: The Raid on Harper's Ferry
PBS' four-part series, "Africans in America," highlights the antislavery movement, including a focus on John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry. Content includes a description of the event, as well as the after-effects including the news of...
Other
Geni: American Abolitionist Movement
Looks at the history of the abolitionist movement in the United States, the key people involved, and important events.
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.
Digital History
Digital History: Harper's Ferry
Read about the infamous raid on Harper's Ferry by John Brown and his band in 1859. His first plan had a chance of success thought Frederick Douglass, but the plan that was carried out was doomed from the start. See what John Brown was...
The History Cat
The History Cat: The Abolitionists
Describes the abolitionist movement and the people who pushed for the abolition of slavery, especially William Lloyd Garrison who founded the Liberator newspaper and the New England Anti-Slavery Society. Arguments for slavery were put...
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.
Curated OER
Wikipedia: Natl Historic Landmarks in New York: John Brown Farm and Gravesite
Home and final resting place of famous abolitionist John Brown, executed for his raid on Harper's Ferry Armory before the Civil War.
Library of Congress
Loc: African American Odyssey: Abolition, Anti Slavery Movements
A section of an online exhibit that deals with historically important documents about the abolition movement from its earliest Quaker beginnings in the early 18th century through 1860.
US Department of State
Bureau of International Information Programs: History Outline: Sectionalism
Article reviews several conditions of American society that sowed the seeds of civil war, particularly slavery and sectional conflict.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: John Brown
John Brown was an anti-slavery abolitionist, known for the John Brown raid on October 16th, 1858, when he and others seized the United States Armory at Harper's Ferry.-E. Benjamin Andrews 1895
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.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: John Brown
John Brown (May 9, 1800 - December 2, 1859) was an American abolitionist who advocated and practiced armed insurrection as a means to end all slavery. He led the Pottawatomie Massacre in 1856 in Bleeding Kansas and the unsuccessful raid...
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: John Brown
John Brown (1800 - 1859) was an American abolitionist who advocated and practiced armed insurrection to end slavery. He played an integral part in making Kansas a free state. However, he was unsuccessful in the raid at Harpers Ferry in...
Library of Congress
Loc: The Champions of Human Liberty
Frederick Douglass gave as speech praising John Brown and his raid on Harper's Ferry. He viewed Brown as a real hero of the abolitionist cause. Read his speech or listen to an excerpt.
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.
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.