GBH Openvault

American Experience; John Brown's Holy War; Interview with historian James Horton, 4 of 5

Part of John Brown's Holy War Interviews.

2000

Horton talks about Kansas -pro - slavery vs. free soil forces, Slavery Expansion - Lincoln contain, Kansas is battleground, Kansas - John Brown determined to stop expansion, Sumner - attack, Brooks sent 100s of canes, serious, Pottawatomie - accepting that John Brown killed, did so for principle, Newby - letter from wife, personal commitment to be w/ John Brown, Douglass - thought plan doomed, John Brown naive about military might, Douglass - John Brown disappointed not to have him along Martyr - resignation Plan - breaking in easy, but he stayed too long, Southern fear - raid a symbol of North's willingness to strike, Raid - evidence more important than his own survival, Icon - symbol of complexity of US, race at core of contradiction

Series

American Experience

Program

John Brown's Holy War

Program Number

1205

Title

Interview with historian James Horton, 4 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

0:28:18

Asset Type

Raw video

Media Type

Video

Topics

History

Creators

Robert Kenner (Producer)

Contributors

Horton, James (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 James Horton, 4 of 5,” 2000, GBH Archives, accessed April 26, 2024, http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_23F1DBFBCB82449AA05181023C476517.

MLA: “American Experience; John Brown's Holy War; Interview with historian James Horton, 4 of 5.” 2000. GBH Archives. Web. April 26, 2024. <http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_23F1DBFBCB82449AA05181023C476517>.

APA: American Experience; John Brown's Holy War; Interview with historian James Horton, 4 of 5. Boston, MA: GBH Archives. Retrieved from http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_23F1DBFBCB82449AA05181023C476517