John Brown's Pike

The video explores John Brown's role in the abolitionist movement during the mid-19th century. Brown, influenced by witnessing the mistreatment of enslaved people, vowed to end slavery. He believed in arming enslaved people with weapons, leading to his commissioning of pikes for a raid on the Federal Armory. The raid failed, resulting in Brown's execution for treason. However, the pikes became symbolic, with pro-slavery leaders using them as reminders of the threat to their way of life. Today, Brown's pikes are historical artifacts, sparking debate over his legacy as a terrorist or martyr.

What event in John Brown's childhood influenced his commitment to ending slavery?

• Witnessing a slave auction

• Seeing an enslaved person being mistreated

• Reading an abolitionist pamphlet

• Attending a pro-slavery rally

What was John Brown's strategy to help enslaved people rise against their oppressors?

• Organizing peaceful protests

• Petitioning the government

• Arming them with weapons

• Building underground railroads

What was the outcome of John Brown's raid on the Federal Armory?

• It failed and resulted in his execution for treason

• It was a success and led to widespread uprisings

• It led to immediate abolition of slavery

• It was ignored by the government

How did pro-slavery leaders use John Brown's pikes after his execution?

• As a reminder of the threat to their way of life

• To sell as souvenirs

• As a symbol of victory over abolitionists

• To arm their own militias

Where can one of John Brown's pikes be found today?

• Smithsonian Museum

• Kentucky Military History Museum

• National Museum of American History

• Library of Congress