John Brown Dbq

John Brown DBQ

        Initial disgust toward John Brown reflects northern desires to avoid violence. However, as war broke out, mixed views push northern state further toward disunity. As the civil war began to drift toward the slavery issue, John Brown became idolized. The years following John Brown raid on the Harper Ferry illustrates changing relations toward the south. While the north initially opposed John Brown varied opinions about him arose as the north embraced violence, and finally as the wars focus shifted toward slavery, northerners began to see John Brown as a martyr and a hero.

        Initial disgust toward John Brown reflects northern desires to avoid violence, but also their refusal to compromise on their ideals. Although many people in the north were anti-slavery, even abolitionists couldn’t condone John Brown’s extreme actions. Horace Greely, although an abolitionist who would have sided with anyone eradicating slavery, documents John Brown as an uncontrollable fanatic in his editorial for the New York Tribune (doc A). This passage exemplifies North and South intentions to avoid violence. Northerners agreed that using force to keep more states from seceding would only shatter any future chances of reconciliation. Although southerners feared the election Abraham Lincoln would certainly mean a permanent dissolution of the union, Lincoln continued President Buchanan’s wait-and-see policy. Many of Lincolns speeches centered on preserving the union, which documents his desire to remain in peaceful relations. While northerners weren’t willing to resort to violence, they also weren’t willing to compromise their ideals. Henry David Thoreau writes in hope that his fellow northerners will recognize John Brown’s attempt to free the slaves was morally right, and thus his actions were somewhat justified. Northerners and southerners alike weren’t willing to compromise their beliefs about slavery. Abe. Lincoln’s rejection of the Crittenden compromise reaffirms this point. Although this compromise could have potentially saved the union, people’s intense convictions about slavery on both sides prevented any agreement. Dislike for John Brown’s actions but an appreciation for his ideals indicates northern desire to keep their convictions while avoiding violence.