K20 LEARN
Analyzing Early American Figures: Analyzing History
Who were they? High school freshmen brush up on their research skills by investigating an important person in American history. They select a name, fill out a KWHL chart, and research why their person is important. Scholars then complete...
Smithsonian Institution
Civil War
Did you know that more than three million people fought in the Civil War? Through artifacts, graphics, and passages class members learn about the stark divide between North and South that led to the war, as well as about the events...
Curated OER
US Civil Rights Movement: Beginnings through the 60s
A real find for a U.S. History teacher, this presentation could supplement many class sessions about the Civil Rights Movement. Pictures of events, major figures, and "Whites Only" signs are striking and effective for even your most...
Curated OER
1850s: Road to Secession
Detailing the political and social events leading up to the Civil War, this presentation provides students with maps, political cartoons, and photographs to put this time period into historical context. The Presidential Elections of...
Curated OER
Last Moments of John Brown
Young scholars read the history of John Brown. Using the internet, they research commentaries on the raid at Harper's Ferry. After observing a painting, "The Last Moments of John Brown," students analyze and write about what they see,...
Curated OER
Creating a Narrative of John Brown
Students investigate the events of the Harper's Ferry raid. Using primary source documents, they complete a chart showing the different view points of the raid. They discuss the possible biases of the authors and the effect of this...
University of Virginia
University of Virginia: John Brown and the Valley of the Shadow
This site provides a look at John Brown's life. Content includes a chronology of events in his life, a look at his family and cohorts, newspaper articles, eyewitness accounts, and more.
Henry J. Sage
Sage American History: John Brown at Harper's Ferry
Article on John Brown's raid on the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry including excerpts from the U.S. Senate report on the case as well as John Brown's last speech and letter.
OpenStax
Open Stax: John Brown and the Election of 1860
By reading this section from a chapter on " The Tumultuous 1850s," students will be able to describe John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry and analyze the results of the election of 1860.
Stanford University
Beyond the Bubble: John Brown's Legacy
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students answer questions about a poster for a play written in 1936 that celebrates the abolitionist John Brown, who tried to start a slave revolt in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1859.
Stanford University
Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: John Brown
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learners use primary source documents to investigate central historical questions. In this investigation, students must determine whether John Brown was a "misguided fanatic," by examining a speech by...
Virginia Historical Society
Virginia Historical Society: The Portent: John Brown's Raid in American Memory
Online companion of an exhibition mounted in 2009 to commemorate the anniversary of John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry examines Brown's role as a catalyst of the American Civil War.
PBS
Pbs: Cet: Africans in America: The Raid on Harper's Ferry
PBS' four-part series, "Africans in America," highlights the antislavery movement, including a focus on John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry. Content includes a description of the event, as well as the after-effects including the news of...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Lincoln, Douglas and Brown
Overview of events of a nation in conflict including the 1858 U.S. Senate race between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas and the attack on Harpers Ferry.
Digital History
Digital History: "Bleeding Kansas" and "Bleeding Sumner"
Read about how the concept of popular sovereignty expressed in the Kansas-Nebraska Act resulted in political intrigue and murder in Kansas and the caning of a U.S. Senator in the Senate chamber.
Digital History
Digital History: Harper's Ferry
Read about the infamous raid on Harper's Ferry by John Brown and his band in 1859. His first plan had a chance of success thought Frederick Douglass, but the plan that was carried out was doomed from the start. See what John Brown was...
University of Missouri
Famous Trials: The Trial of John Brown
An excellent presentation on the trial and the life of John Brown. You can read a report of the trial itself, view images related to John Brown and much more.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: John Brown's Holy War: Pottawatomie Massacre
PBS provides information on John Brown's involvement in the Pottawatomie Massacre and the reasons behind the massacre.
PBS
Africans in America: John Brown's Black Raiders
This page provides information on the black men who took part in John Brown's Raid. Includes quotes of associates referring to the men.
PBS
Africans in America: John Brown
PBS Online provides a brief biography of John Brown and the way his life affected the abolitionist movement and contributed to the start of the U.S. Civil War.
Other
So just.net: Historic Speeches
This site from EdChange.org gives the speeches of many American speakers on various topics related to social justice.
Library of Congress
Loc: The Champions of Human Liberty
Frederick Douglass gave as speech praising John Brown and his raid on Harper's Ferry. He viewed Brown as a real hero of the abolitionist cause. Read his speech or listen to an excerpt.
Other
Kansas Cyclopedia of State History: Pottawatomie Massacre
Describes the Pottawatomie Massacre which was John Brown's plan to drive the pro-slavers out of the area. From a 1912 encyclopedia.
Library of Virginia
Death or Liberty: John Brown's Raid
The Library of Virginia details John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry as a prelude to the U.S. Civil War. Content also lists various records and resources regarding John Brown's Raid held in the library.