American Experience; Interview with historian James Horton, 2 of 5 : John Brown's Holy War
Description:
Martyr, madman, murderer, hero: John Brown remains one of history's most controversial and misunderstood figures. In the 1850s, he and his ragtag guerrilla group embarked on a righteous crusade against slavery that was based on religious faith -- yet carried out with shocking violence. His execution at Harpers Ferry sparked a chain of events that led to the Civil War. Horton talks about Slavery - founding fathers, principle of human freedom, Brown - revolutionary, expanding principles, Abolitionists - had day jobs, underground RR dangerous, Underground RR - symbolic importance of whites (long), Underground RR - symbolic importance of whites (short), Brown - fight against slavery all consuming, driving force, Sanity - Nat Turner, rational to encourage rebellion, Sanity - imagine Nat Turner well armed, not crazy, Turner - uprising struck fear, spiritual visions, Religion - spiritual visions ordinary for 19th century, Douglass/Brown - intellect/emotion, impressed each other, Douglass/Brown - impressed each other, letter, Douglass - refined, powerful, would inspire raiders
