John Brown's Raid on

Harpers Ferry (1859)

Step 1: BEFORE watching the video and reading the text click HERE to complete the pre-assignment.

Step 2: Watch the video "America's First Terrorist or National Hero?"

Step 3: Read the fictional text message conversation then based on the video and text, answer the questions about John Brown.

1. Who led the raid on Harpers Ferry?

2. What was attacked during the Raid? (What were they trying to take over/capture)

3. Why did John Brown and his party attack the federal arsenal?

4. How did northerners view John Brown following the raid? Why would he be considered a martyr?

5. How did the South feel after this attack?

6. What two abolitionists did John Brown ask to help him in his raid?

John Brown was executed (by hanging) on December 2, 1859

John Brown, leading up to the raid on Harpers Ferry. He had grown a large beard and went by several alias' in fear of being caught.

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