John Brown Harpers Ferry DBQ
John Brown’s violent raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia was a milestone in the initiation of the Civil War. ... Brown’s first raid in Pottawatomie Creek gave the first impression that he, as well as others, would get to the point of rebellion and hostility over the issue of slavery. By his second raid on Harpers Ferry, compromise seemed to be a distant memory. Opinions of both Brown himself and his actions were immediately expressed by both sides. Those who supported John Brown gave very particular reasons why they commended the raid. ... Despite their resistance to Brown’s raid, they didn’t want to impose any charges upon him. ... They concluded that John Brown was the first to take necessary action against the “rebelling” South. Henry Thoreau claimed that he (Brown) was among the transcendental northerners who were active and willing to take action. Those who favored war were satisfied with both of Brown’s raids. By the time the Civil War was in full swing, a song about Brown and his accomplices was created in order to commend their actions.