GBH Openvault

American Experience; John Brown's Holy War; Interview with historian Dennis Frye 5 of 6

Part of John Brown's Holy War Interviews.

2000

Frye talks about Raid - sensational event, whole nation fixated upon it, Press - John Brown wounded, debilitated, but focused in interview, Press - newspapers medium, nation consumed w/ John Brown, Press - Virginia gave access to look civilized, Wise - enemy spoke positively about John Brown, Trial - verdict, sentencing, Trial/Press - opportunity, words in newspapers w/in hours, Southern perspective - John Brown guilty, deserves noose, Trial - verdict was John Brown's greatest moment , Trial - John Brown says he would've been a hero if fighting for rich, Trial - John Brown says he came to save God's poor, message resonated, South - John Brown frightened South, white Northerner, South - terrorized, people wanted guns, militia units formed, Ruffin - find solidarity in Southern fear, John Brown pikes on display, Icon - made compromise, reason, discussion impossible, Press - tributes to John Brown, South in disbelief, think of secession, Secession - South felt violated, determined to defend itself, Icon - John Brown made North believe something must change

Series

American Experience

Program

John Brown's Holy War

Program Number

1205

Title

Interview with historian Dennis Frye 5 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

0:29:25

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 5 of 6,” 2000, GBH Archives, accessed December 3, 2024, http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_0A1949F51B5041EDA7548036974A43C6.

MLA: “American Experience; John Brown's Holy War; Interview with historian Dennis Frye 5 of 6.” 2000. GBH Archives. Web. December 3, 2024. <http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_0A1949F51B5041EDA7548036974A43C6>.

APA: American Experience; John Brown's Holy War; Interview with historian Dennis Frye 5 of 6. Boston, MA: GBH Archives. Retrieved from http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_0A1949F51B5041EDA7548036974A43C6