Introduction
John Brown and Abraham Lincoln were two of the most significant figures in mid-19th-century American history, each with their unique backgrounds, views, and roles. While Brown and Lincoln believed in the abolition of slavery, they approached the issue in vastly different ways. John Brown was a fervent abolitionist who believed that violence was necessary to end the institution of slavery. His deeply held religious beliefs motivated his actions, leading him to plan and execute a failed slave revolt at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1859. On the other hand, Abraham Lincoln was a self-taught lawyer who became a skilled politician and the 16th President of the United States. He opposed slavery but believed in using legal means to bring about its end, arguing that it was not the place of the federal government to interfere with the practice in states where it was already established. Despite their shared goal of abolishing slavery in the mid-19th century, John Brown and Abraham Lincoln had fundamentally different approaches; Brown believed in violence and rebellion, while Lincoln advocated for peaceful political and legal means.
John Brown
Early Life and Background
John Brown was born in Torrington, Connecticut, in 1800 and was raised in a devout Calvinist family. His father, Owen Brown, was a farmer and tanner who instilled in Brown a strong sense of morality and anti-slavery sentiment (Guelzo 2012). Brown’s family moved around frequently during his childhood, and he experienced the economic struggles of the working class. These experiences shaped his views on social justice and contributed to his eventual radicalization as an abolitionist.
Beliefs and Calvinism
Brown’s Calvinist background profoundly impacted his beliefs about slavery, leading him to view it as a sin and a moral evil. He believed God had specifically called upon him to fight against slavery and saw himself as an instrument of divine justice (Guelzo 2012). His sense of religious conviction drove him to act on his beliefs and ultimately play a significant role in the fight against slavery in the United States.
Raid on Harper’s Ferry
In October 1859, John Brown and a group of 21 men, including free African Americans and white abolitionists, attacked the federal armory at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia. Brown hoped to incite a rebellion of enslaved people in the area and spark a wider revolution against slavery. However, the raid failed to achieve its objectives, and federal troops captured Brown after a two-day siege (Guelzo 2012). Brown was later tried, convicted, and sentenced to death for his role in the raid, which was considered treason and incitement of a slave insurrection.
Death and Legacy
Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry and his subsequent execution became a powerful rallying cry for the abolitionist movement in the North. Several abolitionists perceived Brown as a hero and a martyr who had sacrificed his life for the noble cause of ending slavery (Lincoln 1861). However, in the South, Brown was seen as a dangerous fanatic and a terrorist who had recklessly attempted to incite a violent slave rebellion.
Abraham Lincoln
Early Life and Background
Abraham Lincoln was born in a log cabin on Sinking Spring Farm in Kentucky in 1809. He was the son of a farmer, and his family moved to Indiana when he was seven years old. Lincoln’s childhood was marked by poverty, and he received only a few months of formal education (Lincoln 1861). However, he was an avid reader and spent much of his youth educating himself through books. As a young man, Lincoln worked various jobs, including as a postmaster, a surveyor, and a store clerk, before studying law and becoming a self-taught lawyer.
Beliefs and Ideology
Lincoln was an opponent of slavery and believed it was morally wrong. However, he did not believe in using violence to end slavery and instead worked to end it through legal means (Lincoln 1861). Lincoln believed in the rule of law and the preservation of the Union, which he felt was essential to maintaining the principles of America and ensuring the nation’s survival as a democratic republic.
Presidency and Civil War
Lincoln was elected President in 1860 and took office in March 1861. The country was already deeply divided over the issue of slavery, and several southern states had already seceded from the Union. Lincoln was mainly determined to safeguard the Union, but he still worked to end slavery during his presidency (Lincoln 1861). He issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, declaring that all enslaved individuals in Confederate-held territory needed to be set free. Lincoln’s efforts to end the Civil War succeeded in 1865, but he was assassinated a few days later.
Death and Legacy
Lincoln’s legacy is considered an influential figure in the history of the United States. He is widely known as one of the crucial presidents due to his purposeful leadership during the Civil War and his commitment to ending slavery. Lincoln lost his life in an assassination ordeal on April 14, 1865, by a Confederate sympathizer named John Wilkes Booth (Lincoln 1861). Lincoln’s death was a great loss to the United States, and he has been mourned ever since. His death also significantly impacted the Reconstruction period that followed the Civil War. The task of rebuilding and reuniting the country fell to Lincoln’s successor, Andrew Johnson. However, Johnson’s efforts were controversial, and many believe that his failure to follow Lincoln’s plan for Reconstruction led to further strife and division.
Despite his premature death, Lincoln’s legacy lives on today. His Emancipation Proclamation and efforts to end slavery paved the way for the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, formally abolishing slavery. Lincoln’s leadership during the Civil War helped to preserve the Union and prevent the dissolution of the United States (Lincoln 1861). Lincoln is also remembered for his remarkable speeches, including his iconic Gettysburg Address. In it, he eloquently expressed the values of freedom, equality, and democracy that are still central to American society. Lincoln’s speeches and writings continue to inspire and influence people worldwide, and his legacy is a reminder of the power of visionary leadership (Lincoln 1861). Lincoln’s legacy continues to inspire and influence people worldwide, and his example of visionary leadership and moral courage will be remembered for generations to come.
Conclusion
The combination of the events of the Civil War, the changing political landscape, and Lincoln’s evolving views on slavery led to a change in his thinking and approach to ending the institution. Despite their different backgrounds and approaches, John Brown and Abraham Lincoln were both important figures in the fight against slavery. Brown’s violent tactics and willingness to use force to fight against slavery were in stark contrast to Lincoln’s more measured and legalistic approach. However, the significance of their impact on American history cannot be overstated. Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry helped to spark the Civil War, and his martyrdom helped to galvanize the abolitionist movement. Lincoln’s leadership during the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation were critical to the ultimate abolition of slavery. While their methods may have differed, both Brown and Lincoln fought for what they believed was right, and their legacies continue to shape American history.
References
Guelzo. 2012. Fateful Lightning: A New History of the Civil War and Reconstruction. USA: OUP.
Lincoln, Abraham 1861. “Abraham Lincoln Papers.” Library of Congress. Web.