Chapter 6: The Madness of John Brown Summary and Analysis

Chapter 6 returns to the subject of psychological history by looking at the story of John Brown's raid on the Federal arsenal in Harper's Ferry, Virginia in 1859. Brown, along with twenty other men, plotted to take possession of the arsenal and the weapons stored there as part of a larger plan to instigate an armed slave revolt. Brown, who was white, believed that once he provided leadership and opportunity black slaves would join his revolt, forming an army that would force an end to slavery.

Brown's raid ended in a standoff with federal troops. Ten of his men were killed and Brown himself was wounded and captured. Brown was put on trial and finally executed in December, 1859. He became a polarizing figure in the days immediately before the Civil War, a hero...