TS+Hero

My definition of a hero- Someone who has done an act that is impressive to another person and someone that you they look up to and admire.

John Brown 1) Intro to your 19th Century hero 2) Put hero’s life into perspective–when did they live, where, who were they trying to help, why, how, why was this important? 3) What makes your person a hero–you must prove that your person meets the criteria of your own personal definition(this is the meat of your wiki page and your submission to the My Hero website-your looking at a good four paragraphs here–focus on that spark, that moment the person decided to be heroic or do heroic acts 4) What is the person’s legacy? 5) What advice would they have for today’s youth?





Pictures From: http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=76563&rendTypeId=4 http://www.mce.k12tn.net/civil_war/h_ferry.jpg

An American abolitionist, who wanted to abolish all slavery October 16, 1859 raided Harper's Ferry (armory), Virginia with more than 20 men Assisting fugitive slaves was a federal law He was going to arm slaves with weapons, and try to start a liberation Shot many people, and took 60 hostage Citizens of town and soldiers stopped them Inspired many Americans with his indignation for slavery

Pottawatomie Massacre, Kansas Took five pro-slavery May 24, 1856 Killed them all, and frightened many people around the Pottawatomie area

Died in 1859, was hanged because of his actions when they were caught at Harper's Ferry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Brown_%28abolitionist%29 http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2940.html

The definition of a hero is different to every single person. No one's definition is the same. A person can be a hero to someone and not a hero to another. A hero is something different to everyone. What I believe that a true hero is, is someone who has done an impressive act or accomplishment, in which a person can look up to and admire. Who fits this definition, you may ask. Well, in my opinion, I believe that John Brown is a true hero from the nineteenth century. John Brown is a man who not only stood up for what he thought was right, but truly did believe in himself. To some people John Brown may be a hero because of his acts, while others may think that he was a controversial, lawbreaker. I believe that he is a hero and someone that we should look up to.

Slavery seemed to just keep growing and growing all over America in the nineteenth century. No one seemed to want to stand out and do something about it. Even if they did want to attempt to abolish slavery, northerners seemed to be hushed. This all seemed to keep going on until...John Brown finally did something about it. It was not only his chance to shine, but his acts had contributed to the tension between the North and South, starting the Civil War! Why is this a good thing? The Civil War allowed Northerners to free the slaves, and fight for their freedom. Without it, there may have been no other way to set the slaves free.

The heroic acts that John Brown performed are numerous. On May 24, 1856, the Pattawatomie Massacre occurred in Kansas. John Brown was in charge of this event. Some people frown upon this act while others agree with John Brown. Brown gathered up a small group of people and went on a "mission". They went to Pottawamie Creek, in Franklin County. John Brown was angry with the south, who stated that they were determined to stop the north from invading slave states and that they wanted to make Kansas a slave state. John Brown, who was furious, led his expedition to pro-slavery houses. At each of the houses he made the owners step out of the doorway, outside. Brown's followers would then stab them, until they were dead. This is not the kindest or most pleasant act that Brown had done, but it does show that Brown is committed to his cause, and will not stop to attempting to abolish slavery. He wouldn't have others kill innocent people just for the fun of it. He wanted the south to stop slavery and he knew it was wrong.

What John Brown is best known for though, is the Raid on Harper's Ferry. It is one of the main points in considering Brown as a real American hero in history. This time, Brown was intent on the idea of actually trying to free slaves. The Raid on Harper's Ferry occurred on October 16, 1859. Harper's Ferry was an armory where they stored guns and weapons, and was located in Virginia. John Brown's initial plan was to take control of the armory with his group of people that inlcuded both whites and African Americans. He also planned to have give many of the slaves from the surrounding area weapons and have them help their uprising. From there, he hoped to liberate many more slaves in the area. This plan did not work out as he had planned, although. The slaves in the area were not willing to help them and were a bit timid about breaking their master's rules and running away. This left Brown out of luck and without much assistance. They did kill some people who tried to foil their plan, and also took 60 people hostage. Unfortunately, townspeople and soldiers stifled their plans and captured the whole group.

This event did give one good thing to America in that time period...Brown inspired many people with his indignation for slavery. He was one of the reasons that many people got out of their chairs and did something about what they believed in...abolishing slavery. In addition, helping any fugitive slaves, which Brown did do, was a federal crime in America. He did committed an illegal crime to help slaves and once again, standing up in what he believed was right. Although he did not succeed in freeing any large number of slaves, he did do something that no one else ventured to do. He did clearly not fear the punishments that were to come if and when he was caught.

That punishment did eventually end up coming once he was caught at Harper's Ferry. It was not labor, or jail time...but his own life! He was sentenced to be hanged in 1859 from all of his actions at Harper's Ferry. From helping all these slaves, it did cost him his life. Brown knew that it could come down to that, but he still stuck with his belief anyway. He basically dedicated his life to helping them and would stop at nothing to free them. Giving your life for something that is important to you, is not to be taken lightly. It is an amazing act of bravery and passion. Anyone who has done that, deserves to be a hero and I truly both look up to him and admire him for his acts. In my eyes, John Brown is a true nineteenth century hero, and I believe that he should be honored for his hard work, perseverance and attitude.

If John Brown was still alive today, I'm sure that he would suggest many tips for today's youth to follow. Number one would be...Believe in yourself and never give up. Brown did believe that he could help slaves and never gave up, even when his plans did fail. He always believed in himself and that was the driving force in fulfilling his plans. Number two would be...Fight for what you believe is right. When anyone believes in something but doesn't do anything about it, their belief will never occur. If the United States had to worship the President as our God, but some people did not believe this was right, and no one said or did anything about it, it will stay the same as it always was. John Brown was not afraid to do that, and stood up for slaves when no one else was.