Was John Brown A Hero?

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The definition of a hero is someone admired for their courage or outstanding achievements. The definition of a terrorist is a person who uses terrorism in pursuit of political aims. John Brown by many different people have accused him being each of these two characters. But it is safe to say John Brown's strident actions had created him to be a hero than he was a terrorist. His actions were for justice and it would lead to more of a promised life for the African-American people and the civil rights movement proceeding forward.
John Brown was standing against all odds to stand up for African-American slaves and their freedom even if that meant going against the government. He was a hero because he was able to help and free slaves. John Brown was the focal point of violence in many battles with the government to get slaves free but what may be overlooked is that he had saved slaves without violence. In Brown's last speech at …show more content…

Some may not be led to believe he was doing any justice to anyone, provided that he could be accounted for as a terrorist. In an essay written by Tony Horowitz it is claimed that Brown is "the most successful terrorist" compared to all the terrorists that have crossed the world's path. In this essay there is a comparison between Brown's attacks and 9/11. There is nothing wrong with including the fact that Brown had a desire to "incite broad conflict" on people of the south, although let it not be brought to surface without recognizing how important his raids were. Brown's ability to help free slaves was something that successfully helped a better nation for the future, whereas when you look at 9/11 in Horowitz's essay it claims even Brown's actions were not on the same level as 9/11's attack that "...caused mass, indiscriminate slaughter, for indestructible ends". Brown never wanted to rule over anyone or take over a country. He wanted to just make the change for the African-American

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