GBH Openvault

American Experience; John Brown's Holy War; Interview with author Russell Banks, 3 of 5

Part of John Brown's Holy War Interviews.

2000

Banks talks about Violence - American tradition of principled violence, Pott., Pottawatomie - not born terrorists, must up the ante, Pottawatomie - context of progression, defining moments, Pottawatomie - turning point, Pottawatomie - not strategic, response to frustration and despair, Kansas - people interested in land and $, not slaves and descendants, Business - wanted $ so he could devote time to doing Lord's work, Business/Failure - had to live divided life, painful conflict, Failure - dependence on others humiliating, Business/Father - conflict b/t God's work, responsibility, Failure - life going down tubes, unfair, Failure - small debts enormous to him, Personality - obsessive, pursued goals relentlessly, Travel/Old Man - slow arduous travel, esp. for an old man, Europe - John Brown description, must've looked peculiar, Waterloo - single - mindedness of purpose there, Europe - reported on livestock (pigs) not culture, architecture, Underground RR - John Brown involved as adolescent in Ohio thru father, Underground RR - John Brown thrilled to act, do Lord's work, Underground RR - John Brown saw economic dimension, Plan/Douglass - would have been more successful w/ Douglass, Raid/Martyr - why did John Brown stay? deliberate act of martyrdom, Martyring Sons - morally difficult/ambiguous aspect of John Brown

Series

American Experience

Program

John Brown's Holy War

Program Number

1205

Title

Interview with author Russell Banks, 3 of 5

Series Description

As television's longest-running, most-watched history series, American Experience brings to life the incredible characters and epic stories that helped form this nation. Now in its eighteenth season, the series has produced over 180 programs and garnered every major broadcast award.

Program Description

Martyr, madman, murderer, hero: John Brown remains one of history's most controversial and misunderstood figures. In the 1850s, he and his ragtag guerrilla group embarked on a righteous crusade against slavery that was based on religious faith -- yet carried out with shocking violence. His execution at Harpers Ferry sparked a chain of events that led to the Civil War.

Duration

0:29:36

Asset Type

Raw video

Media Type

Video

Topics

History

Creators

Robert Kenner (Producer)

Contributors

Banks, Russell (Interviewee)

Publication Information

WGBH Educational Foundation

Rights Summary

Rights Holder: WGBH Educational Foundation

Citation

Chicago: “American Experience; John Brown's Holy War; Interview with author Russell Banks, 3 of 5,” 2000, GBH Archives, accessed April 18, 2024, http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_BCA738B79BEE48D884CB7F31034DAF77.

MLA: “American Experience; John Brown's Holy War; Interview with author Russell Banks, 3 of 5.” 2000. GBH Archives. Web. April 18, 2024. <http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_BCA738B79BEE48D884CB7F31034DAF77>.

APA: American Experience; John Brown's Holy War; Interview with author Russell Banks, 3 of 5. Boston, MA: GBH Archives. Retrieved from http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_BCA738B79BEE48D884CB7F31034DAF77