Audio Analysis Assignment: John Brown’s Last Speech ✓ Solved

Listen to the speech delivered by abolitionist John Brown in 1859 to the Virginia Court, when about to receive the sentence of death for his raid at Harper’s Ferry and complete the Audio Analysis Worksheet and also produce a 1-2-page essay in which you explain Brown’s reasoning for storming the military base at Harper’s Ferry. What was Brown’s goal, and how did he aim to achieve it? What was the outcome? What was the national response to his efforts?

Paper For Above Instructions

John Brown's raid at Harper’s Ferry in October 1859 was a significant event in American history that foreshadowed the violent struggles to come in the Civil War. As an avowed abolitionist, Brown aimed to inspire a nationwide insurrection against slavery by seizing the federal armory at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, arming enslaved people, and igniting a revolt. This bold plan was anchored in a profound moral conviction that aimed to confront the prevailing injustice and immorality of slavery in America.

Brown's reasoning for storming the military base stems from his deep religious beliefs and a strong sense of urgency regarding the plight of enslaved people. He envisioned the armory as a possible base of operations to assist enslaved individuals seeking freedom. Brown believed that a successful raid would not only liberate enslaved individuals but could also galvanize northern support for abolitionism and possibly inspire other enslaved people to rise against their oppressors. This fervent idealism was accompanied by a willingness to sacrifice his life for the cause, as he famously stated in his final address, “I say; LET IT BE DONE.”

The immediate outcome of Brown's raid was disastrous. His group of 21 men was poorly equipped and outnumbered, leading to their capture after a two-day standoff with local militia and U.S. Marines commanded by Colonel Robert E. Lee. Brown was subsequently tried and convicted of treason, murder, and inciting a slave insurrection. His conviction led to his execution on December 2, 1859, making him a martyr in the eyes of many abolitionists.

Nationally, Brown's attempted insurrection had a polarizing effect. In the North, he elicited a complex response; many viewed him as a hero who fought against the institution of slavery, while others condemned his actions as reckless and violent. Public figures such as Ralph Waldo Emerson praised him for his bravery, while others feared that his raid would escalate tensions between the North and the South.

In the Southern states, Brown's actions were viewed as a direct threat. His raid heightened fears of slave uprisings and led to a tightening of laws governing enslaved people, ultimately increasing hostilities and divisions between the North and South. Southern newspapers portrayed Brown as a deranged fanatic, and his image was used to justify the need for a stronger slave patrol and the defense of the institution of slavery.

Brown's legacy is multifaceted. While he is often viewed as a radical, his determination and actions brought crucial attention to the issue of slavery in the United States. His speech delivered in front of the Virginia court encapsulated his motivations, highlighting that he considered his actions God's work—a crucial driving force in his belief system. He adamantly denied the intention of instigating violence despite the violent nature of his actions and was particularly vocal about the noble ambitions he had in mind for the enslaved population.

From the audio of Brown's last speech, listeners encounter a mixture of desperation, conviction, and moral righteousness. The tone of his voice conveys both a sense of gravity regarding his situation and an unwavering belief in his cause. This juxtaposition is crucial in understanding his impact—Brown’s passionate articulation of his beliefs helped solidify his status as a symbol of resistance against the institution of slavery.

In conclusion, John Brown’s raid at Harper's Ferry and his subsequent trial and execution catalyzed a national debate on slavery and significantly contributed to the rise of abolitionist sentiments in the North. His actions and their aftermath provided profound insights into the conflicting ideologies that would ultimately lead to the Civil War. Brown's determination demonstrated that the fight for abolition was not only a political struggle but also a deeply personal moral imperative, evoking both reverence and animosity in the years that followed.

References

• Oates, Stephen B. "To Purge This Land with Blood: A Biography of John Brown." New York: Harper & Row, 1970.
• Tindall, George B., and David E. Shi. "America: A Narrative History." W.W. Norton & Company, 2016.
• Quarles, Benjamin. "John Brown: Icon of Freedom." New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 1974.
• Hinton, William. "John Brown: The Legend Revisited." New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1976.
• Finkelman, Paul. "Slavery in the Courtroom: An Annotated Bibliography." New York: Greenwood Press, 1985.
• Goodell, William. "The American Slave Code in Theory and Practice." New York: 1853.
• McKitrick, Eric L. "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln." New York: Simon & Schuster, 2005.
• Guelzo, Allen C. "Fateful Lightning: A New History of the Civil War and Reconstruction." New York: Oxford University Press, 2012.
• Stowell, John William. "John Brown's Raid: A Historical Study." New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2006.
• Wilson, M. W. "John Brown: A Biography." New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1995.