California's Quest for Freedom: Opposing the Fugitive Act in 1851 - Essay Sample

Introduction

In 1849 just before President Zachary Taylor March inauguration, California applied to be Free State, some politicians in that area started to oppose the slavery principle. Most people from the North believed that slavery and the slave trade damaged Americans' international reputation. At the same time, the Southern found this to be ignorance against the Fugitive act (Exploring Americans History, page 390). In 1851 the northern opposed and challenged the government's right to enforce the law. That is when the black and white joined in the demonstration, and that's when Willian Lloyd Garrison denounced the law (Exploring American Histories, page 390).

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In 1852 the Uncle Tom's Cabin was built on account of former slaves. That is where they continued to challenge the fugitive slave act by writing poems and songs and performed them at abolitionist's convections and fundraising affairs (Exploring American History, page 397). These still never captured the public's attention. In 1854 Douglas introduced a Kansas Nebraska Act to congress. The passage of this act enraged the northern considered dismantling the Missouri Compromise since it supported the rise of the southern (Exploring American Histories, page 397).

The Republic Party in the same year 1854 was used in the elections that year. The Republicans argued that slavery wasn't supposed to be in new territories. In 1855 the southern established a pro-slavery government while the abolitionists created a stronghold in Lawrence. That is when in 1856, John Brown, a long time abolitionist, carried his rifle at Kansas (Exploring American Histories, page 397).

John Brown's Raid. John raid was a militant abolitionist who was committed man to bring equality between whites and blacks, but mainly the abolition of slavery (Exploring American Histories, Page 401). All these were brought about by the bloody battles that had happened in Kansas. Before he even started the raid, there was a rumor that he would. It spread faster than bushfire. His daring spirit made the Sothern consider him to be a mad man (Exploring American Histories, page 401). The Northern on their side thought his plan even before execution to be heroic. Sothern never believed in the rumor (Exploring American Histories, page 401). They saw it as another conspiracy by the abolitionists to fight slavery.

Even though it never appeared possible, John Brown proved them wrong. He set and laid up his plan that only awaited execution. When he started the raid, he focused on capturing the federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, so that he would get the arms and distribute them to the slaves in the surrounding areas. This plan was to be executed by eighteen followers, which is the thirteen whites and five African Americans (Exploring American Histories, page 401).

On October 16, 1859, there was a successful raid by Brown and his men, where they seized the arsenal. The residents alerted the authorities who flooded the town and made Brown and his men be under siege. Unfortunately, on October 18, fourteen of rebels, inclusive of Browns sons, died (Exploring American Histories, Page 401). The raid was unsuccessful and Brown, and three others who survived were all captured. After Brown was caught and aligned in a local jury, he never pleaded insanity as advised by his lawyer on December 2, 1859. Hence he was charged with murder, treason and, criminal conspiracy and found guilty (Exploring American Histories, page 401). That is when Brown was given a quick trial and was executed by hanging on December 2. Brown's raid shocked everyone. The Quakers, pacifists and, other abolitionists organized demonstrations and bonfires to express their grief and anger towards Brown's execution (Exploring American Histories, page 401). All supporters from the North expressed themselves differently and considered him a martyr. However, the raid surprised everyone since it leads to a rise of free enslaved blacks (Exploring American Histories, page 401).

Those who admired Brown defended and supported his use of violence in Harpers Ferry in different ways (Document12.6). For instance, Henry David Thoreau delivered a speech "A Plea for Captain John Brown" during the day he died. In his remarks, he said that John Brown had gone against all the odds. He pleaded that his life not be saved because it was not his ambition to act the way he did, but because of his character. His life being alive brought more impact than his death (Document 12.6).

Reverend J Sella Martin of the Joy Street Baptist Church and four thousand people gathered at the Tremont Temple to celebrate his life. They created a day of mourning for the celebration of John Browns' life. He defended Brown when he used the principles of peace when a physician cuts out cancer. He is not to blame for using the knife. Still, it is the disordered system that has caused cancer that rendered the use of the instrument necessary (Document 12.7).

Currier and Ives wrote and published a story of John Brown in the New York Tribune, claiming that he kissed a slave child. Though the story wasn't right, it spread, and it made him a legend. Fortunately, the two made John Brown a martyr and gifted him with the title that is commemorated to date (Document 12.9).

Even though most people from the North shared browns ideas of antislavery, most of them opposed his use of violence. Brown also had people who condemned his actions at Harpers Ferry (Document 12.5). The State Register (spring field Illinois) blamed and condemned Abraham Lincoln and William Steward for the raid. They claimed that he was a man who believed in blows, not words. They thought that his deeds of violence were not for a leader, and that was why the Harpers Ferry was the first incidence that proved it to be right (Document 12.5).

Those who opposed him and other abolitions were mainly the Southern. They opposed him and his fellow abolitionists. That is when, after his death, a Southern Paper reacted to Brown Execution on December 3, 1859. They ridiculed the day of mourning that held in his honor (Document 12.8). The Southern paper considered the people from the North to be fanatic. That is why they did all the things in recognition of Brown's deeds, which to them was blasphemy and treason. The least considered Brown and said the Brown deserved his punishment (Document 12.8).

Conclusion

All in all, the end of slavery needed a man who could stand persistently and effectively for human nature. All said and done, majority opinions of Brown's actions were allowed since everyone felt different, but at the end of the day, he became a legend. That is why even after the raid, he still found it to be the right step. He denied proving not to be sane in the local jury where he was on trial. Everyone can remember his wording before being sent to the gallows on December 2, 1860. He said that he was not quite sure that his crimes will ever purge away with his blood. This statement appeared to be a prophetic one. Although Brown failed in his raid, his actions, in the long run, inflamed a lot of tensions and upraised the 1860 presidential election stakes. It can be said that it is through his actions that helped further accommodations between the South and North nearly impossible hence becoming a significant impetus of the next Civil War.