Nat Turner and John Brown

When talking about pre-Civil War anti-slavery actions both Nat Turner and John Brown come up.  In some ways, even though they never met, were from different time frames, were from totally different situations, and have different motives they often seem to be inexplicably tied together.  Because of their difference, they should not be.

As I have grown and matured (different things) my attitudes have changed about both of them.

Nat Turner

In summary, Nat Turner was the black lay minister who led the slave revolt in Virginia in 1831.

I was originally focused on the facts that he was seeing visions and during his revolt, they killed men, women, and children.  Generally speaking, I did not have a very positive attitude about the revolt.

I still have a major issue about the revolt being led by a person who saw visions.  However, I see the issue about the killings on a different level.  While I do not condone it in any way, if I were a slave with no avenue of resolution would I have differentiated between men, women, and children.  I doubt it, especially knowing that I was not going to win my freedom regardless of the outcome.

So now, I have a much better understanding and a much better compassion for Nat Turner and his followers.  I could see myself doing much the same if faced with their horrible circumstance.

JOHN BROWN

In summary, John Brown led a group that took over the armory at Harper’s Ferry to try to violently free the slaves.  He was captured and executed for his actions.  This was after he had previously been involved in what has been called the Pottawatomie massacre where 5 people were killed in Kansas.

I was raised to believe that he was a champion of the anti-slavery movement and that he was a hero.  I, like many others, was taught “John Brown’s Body” – the song who’s tune is used for the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” – considered fitting by many.

Well, to me, as I have grown it seems wrong.  He was a terrorist. plain and simple, in my opinion.  He was attempting to overthrow the government.  Forget his motivation, look at his actions.  Unlike Nat Turner, he had alternatives.

I am sure that Timothy McVeigh thought his motives were just as valid as John Brown’s were.  I am sure that the followers of various terrorists are not any different than that of John Brown.  The fact that America abolitionists agreed with John Brown and we ended up fighting the Civil War a few years later made him a “hero” instead of the terrorist that he was.