John Brown was influenced by his deeply religious family who was staunchly anti-slavery. Brown worked on the underground railroad in the 1830s and 1840s. This contributed to his abolitionist views growing stronger.

Brown came to the conclusion that an armed insurrection was the ultimate solution for overthrowing slavery. He created a plan to seize a federal armory, Harper’s Ferry, in Virginia. He had the hope that it would lead to a slave rebellion. He did not get the help from locally enslaved individuals that he was hoping for.

After a two-day standoff, he was captured by U.S. Marines led by Colonel Robert E. Lee. He was convicted of murder and treason. He was hung December 2, 1859. His raid on Harper’s ferry contributed to greater tension between the North and South. Many southerners were afraid that other Northerners could try to replicate Brown’s actions and incite a slave rebellion.

John Brown indicated he had no regrets as he was about to be hung.