Posts tagged with "john brown"

John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry: A Turning Point in American History

On October 16, 1859, abolitionist John Brown led a daring raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia), in an attempt to ignite a slave rebellion and bring about the end of slavery. Though the raid was quickly suppressed, it had profound and lasting implications for American history and culture.

Brown’s actions were motivated by his deeply held religious beliefs and his conviction that slavery was a moral evil that could only be eradicated through violence. He saw himself as a righteous warrior, willing to sacrifice his own life to achieve his goals.

The raid on Harpers Ferry sent shockwaves through the nation. In the North, Brown was hailed as a hero and martyr by abolitionists, while in the South, he was vilified as a terrorist and a threat to the Southern way of life. The raid deepened the already existing divide between the North and South, intensifying the debate over slavery and pushing the nation closer to civil war. It also highlighted the growing militancy of the abolitionist movement and the willingness of some to use violence to achieve their goals.

In the years that followed, Brown’s image continued to evolve. He became a symbol of both hope and division, a reminder of the country’s troubled past and the ongoing struggle for racial equality.

The legacy of John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry is complex and multifaceted. It was a pivotal moment in American history, one that helped to shape the nation’s identity and its understanding of itself. The raid also raised important questions about the role of violence in social change and the meaning of freedom and equality.

Today, Brown’s raid continues to be a source of debate and discussion. Some see him as a hero who fought for a just cause, while others view him as a fanatic who contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War. Regardless of one’s opinion, there is no doubt that John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry was a watershed event in American history, one that continues to resonate to this day.

Black Americans’ views on John Brown were complex and varied. While some saw him as a hero and martyr for the cause of abolition, others were more wary of his violent methods.

  • Support and admiration: Many black abolitionists, particularly those who had escaped slavery or were actively involved in the Underground Railroad, saw Brown as a courageous figure willing to risk his life for their freedom. They admired his commitment to ending slavery and his willingness to take decisive action.
  • Caution and skepticism: However, not all black Americans supported Brown’s methods. Some were concerned that his violent tactics could lead to further repression and violence against black people. They also worried that his actions could alienate potential white allies and make it more difficult to achieve abolition through peaceful means.

Overall, black Americans’ views on John Brown were shaped by their own experiences and perspectives on the struggle for freedom. While some saw him as a hero, others were more cautious about his methods. However, there is no doubt that Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry had a profound impact on the black community and helped to galvanize support for the abolitionist movement.

Frederick Douglass was involved with John Brown and his plans to raid Harper’s Ferry, but he ultimately declined to participate in the raid itself.

  • Early Support and Collaboration: Douglass met with Brown several times and was sympathetic to his cause. They discussed plans for a large-scale slave uprising, and Douglass even helped Brown recruit supporters and raise funds.
  • Growing Reservations: As Brown’s plans became more concrete, Douglass grew increasingly concerned about the viability and potential consequences of the raid. He believed that the attack on Harper’s Ferry was too risky and unlikely to succeed. Douglass also worried about the potential backlash against black Americans if the raid failed.
  • Decision to Withdraw: Despite his admiration for Brown’s dedication to ending slavery, Douglass ultimately decided not to participate in the raid. He believed that the plan was flawed and that the risks outweighed the potential benefits.

Although Douglass did not join Brown at Harper’s Ferry, his association with the abolitionist leader put him under scrutiny. After the raid, Douglass was forced to flee to Canada to avoid arrest and potential extradition to the United States. Despite the controversy, Douglass continued to speak out against slavery and advocate for the rights of black Americans.

Saluting Dangerfield Newby, The Real Django Unchained

As part of the theme and commemoration of Black History Month, it is only fitting to highlight the power of love and family depicted in the film Django Unchained. Albeit a tragic love story, Dangerfield and Harriet Newby exemplify the true meaning of love and courage.

Editor’s Note: This account of Dangerfield Newby, the real Django, comes from African Archives. Please follow and support their historical storytelling of American history and culture.

Dangerfield Newby is the actual man on which the movie Django Unchained is loosely based. He was a member of the John Brown raiders. He joined the gang to save his wife, Harriet and children from slavery. —Dangerfield Newby (1815 – October 17, 1859) was the oldest of John Brown’s raiders, one of five black raiders, and the first of his men to die at Harpers Ferry, Virginia.

Born into slavery in Fauquier County, Virginia, Newby married a woman also enslaved. Newby’s father was Henry Newby, a landowner in Fauquier County. His mother was Elsey Newby, who was a slave, owned not by Henry, but by a neighbor, John Fox. Elsey and Henry lived together for many years and had several children, although interracial marriage was illegal in Virginia. Dangerfield was their first child. Dangerfield Newby, his mother and his siblings were later freed by his father when he moved them across the Ohio River into Bridgeport, Ohio.

John Fox, who died in 1859, apparently did not attempt to retrieve Elsey, Dangerfield, or any of his siblings. Dangerfield’s wife and their seven children remained in bondage. A letter found on his body revealed some of his motivation for joining John Brown and the raid on Harpers Ferry. Dangerfield Newby’s wife, Harriet Newby, was the slave of Jesse Jennings, of Arlington or Warrenton, Virginia. Newby had been unable to purchase the freedom of his wife and seven children. Their master raised the price after Newby had saved the $1,500 that had previously been agreed on. Because all of Newby’s other efforts had failed he hoped to free them by force.

Harriet’s poignant letters, found on his body, proved instrumental in advancing the abolitionist cause. Newby was six foot two. On October 17, 1859, the citizens of Harpers Ferry set to put down the raid. Harpers Ferry manufactured guns but the citizens had little ammunition, so during the assault on the raiders they fired anything they could fit into a gun barrel. One man was shooting six inch spikes from his rifle, one of which struck Newby in the throat, killing him instantly.

After the raid, the people of Harpers Ferry took his body, stabbed it repeatedly, and amputated his limbs. His body was left in an alley to be eaten by hogs. In 1899 the remains of Newby-plus remains of nine other raiders-were reburied in a common grave near the body of John Brown in North Elba, New York. Dangerfield Newby’s wife, Harriet and her children were sold to a Louisiana slave owner after the raid.

Additional information and an official biography, by Virginia Changemakers also states that Dangerfield Newby (ca. 1820-1859) was born in Culpeper County, the oldest child of Henry Newby, a white man, and Elsey Newby, an enslaved black woman. In 1858, Henry Newby sold his land in Culpeper and moved with his family to Bridgeport, Ohio, thereby freeing his wife and their children.