John Brown, born on this day in 1800, was a militant abolitionist who advocated for and practiced armed insurrection to overthrow the system of slavery in the U.S. He became the first American executed for treason after raiding Harpers Ferry.

Brown first gained national attention when he led small groups of volunteers during the Bleeding Kansas crisis of 1856. He was dissatisfied with the pacifism of the organized abolitionist movement, stating “These men are all talk. What we need is action - action!”

In October 1859, Brown led a raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia (modern day West Virginia), intending to start a liberation movement that would spread south through the mountainous regions of Virginia and North Carolina.

Although Brown’s group successfully seized the armory at first, his raid was defeated by a combination of volunteer militia and state forces led by Robert E. Lee, who later commanded the Confederate States Army. Seven people were killed, two of whom were Brown’s sons Oliver and Watson, and at least ten more were injured.

Brown had intended to arm enslaved people with weapons from the armory, but only a small number of locals were willing to join him, possibly due to an unfamiliarity with firearms. Within 36 hours, those of Brown’s men who had not fled were killed or captured by local farmers, militiamen, or U.S. Marines.

Brown was hastily tried for treason against the Commonwealth of Virginia, the murder of five men, and inciting a slave insurrection. He was found guilty on all counts and was hanged, becoming the first person executed for treason in the history of the United States.

“I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land can never be purged away but with blood. I had, as I now think, vainly flattered myself that without very much bloodshed, it might be done.”

  • John Brown

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  • videogame [he/him]@hexbear.netEnglish
    8·
    11 days ago

    Am I becoming a cringe third-worldist if I unironically get a little pissed off whenever someone starts talking about declining living standards in the US

    Like who cares bro there’s worse shit + it’s gonna have to get a lot worse to save the bulk of humanity

    But at the same time it’s like, I’ve never been in extreme poverty, just regular-style poverty as a kid for a short time after the recession, so I guess I’m also saying fuck Amerikkka let it all collapse from a position of privilege

    But okay what happens if Americans get healthcare and start benefitting more tangibly from the exploitation of the third world. There’s not even that much leftism as there is but lemme tell you for like 50% or more of “American leftists” all that socialism shit stops when they see a little bread 💯