1. Moral and religious convictions: John Brown viewed the institution of slavery as a moral abomination that contradicted the teachings of Christianity and the basic tenets of human dignity. His religious beliefs led him to believe in the equality of all people and he felt a strong sense of moral responsibility to fight against the injustice of slavery.
2. Personal experiences: Brown's encounters with slavery during his youth left a lasting impression on him. He witnessed the brutal realities of the slave trade and the dehumanizing treatment of enslaved individuals, which made him determined to actively work towards ending the institution.
3. Abolitionist movement: John Brown was a passionate member of the abolitionist movement, which played a pivotal role in advocating for the abolition of slavery in the United States. He was influenced by the writings and activism of other abolitionists, such as William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass. Brown believed that direct action was necessary to achieve emancipation, as he saw the failure of peaceful persuasion and political solutions.
4. Belief in armed struggle: John Brown firmly believed that the only way to overthrow the institution of slavery was through armed resistance. He rejected the gradual and peaceful approach advocated by some abolitionists, and instead opted for a more radical and confrontational approach. Brown's strategy involved organizing armed insurrections and leading militias to challenge slaveholders and liberate enslaved people.
5. Harpers Ferry Raid: John Brown's most famous act was his raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1859. This audacious attempt was aimed at sparking a wider slave revolt by seizing the arsenal and distributing weapons to enslaved individuals. Although the raid ultimately failed, it drew national attention to the cause of abolitionism and further radicalized the movement.
6. Influence on the Civil War: John Brown's actions, including the raid on harpers ferry, contributed to increasing the tensions between the North and the South on the issue of slavery. His commitment to the abolitionist cause inspired numerous individuals, including future leaders of the Union Army during the Civil War. Brown's legacy and martyrdom played a role in shaping the course of the Civil War and the eventual abolition of slavery in the United States.