John Brown's Raid

John Brown's goal was to start a slave revolt by seizing one small corner of the South and letting the rebellion spread. He was supported by some money from Northern abolitionists, which he used to obtain weapons. Brown's plan was doomed when none of the local slaves joined in his uprising.

His trial was swift. All appeals that he be placed in an insane asylum were rejected and he was hung.

Before being hung, Brown stated: "Now if it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life for the furtherance of the ends of justice, and mingle my blood further with the blood of my children and with blood of millions in this slave country whose rights are disregarded by the wicked, cruel and unjust enactments, I say let it be done."

The Brown raid further intensified feelings on both sides of slave issues. Bells tolled in many Northern cities on the day that Brown was hung. To many he was a martyr. In the South John Brown represented all that they feared– a slave revolt. Beyond that, the Northern reaction further inflamed the South, who saw the actions of the Northerners as an attempt to destroy their way of life.