GBH Openvault

American Experience; John Brown's Holy War; Interview with historian Dennis Frye 2 of 6

Part of John Brown's Holy War Interviews.

2000

Frye talks about Harper's Ferry - bottom of a teacup, H Ferry/Plan - as many weapons as Grant's Army, Plan - mountains as fortress, transport forces/slaves, Plan - chose Virginia to strike at the breeder, Religion/Plan - God chose John Brown, raid in God's hands, Religion - John Brown spoke to God daily looking for direction, Religion/Raid - could not fail in hands of God, Martyr - John Brown didn't come to Harpers Ferry to make himself a martyr, Raid - John Brown almost ended up dead, Martyr - John Brown can't plan his own martyrdom, Martyr - John Brown would succeed w/ God, no plan to be martyr, Raid - was attack on government, John Brown hated law of land, Slavery - John Brown thought government wrong and needed to change, Cook - disguised him self as a writer researching the region, Cook - real purpose to collect intelligence, Cook - spent time w/ Louis Washington, Louis Washington - inherited Frederick the Great sword, Cook - symbols of revolution, Washington's weapons, Raid - description of cold, foggy night, Raid - armory gate, seized night watchman, plan working, Raid - only one night watchman!, Raid - going wrong, watchman warned train conductor, Raid/Hayward Shepard - scared by John Brown's men, ran, Raid/Hayward Shepard - first shots struck a free black, After Raid - church bells, "fire fueled by abolitionists"

Series

American Experience

Program

John Brown's Holy War

Program Number

1205

Title

Interview with historian Dennis Frye 2 of 6

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

0:29:17

Asset Type

Raw video

Media Type

Video

Topics

History

Creators

Robert Kenner (Producer)

Contributors

Frye, Dennis (Interviewee)

Publication Information

WGBH Educational Foundation

Rights Summary

Rights Holder: WGBH Educational Foundation

Citation

Chicago: “American Experience; John Brown's Holy War; Interview with historian Dennis Frye 2 of 6,” 2000, GBH Archives, accessed April 19, 2024, http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_C2C25CEAA0CC44E98D562D04BEF23680.

MLA: “American Experience; John Brown's Holy War; Interview with historian Dennis Frye 2 of 6.” 2000. GBH Archives. Web. April 19, 2024. <http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_C2C25CEAA0CC44E98D562D04BEF23680>.

APA: American Experience; John Brown's Holy War; Interview with historian Dennis Frye 2 of 6. Boston, MA: GBH Archives. Retrieved from http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_C2C25CEAA0CC44E98D562D04BEF23680