Question

What distinguished john brown from other abolitionists such as william lloyd garrison and frederick douglass?
a. brown emphasized violence in freeing slaves.
b. brown wanted to send ex-slaves abroad.
c. brown wanted slaves to be freed immediately.
d. brown only used religion.
e. brown hoped to see ex-slaves gain equal rights?

Answer 1

(A) is the most correct answer. Unlike many abolitionists who felt that non-violent action was the tactic that needed to be used, Brown felt that whatever needed to be done to free the slave population was a legitimate course. If this required violence, then so be it. Many others felt that this would hurt the cause of abolition and wanted to take a more "genteel" move toward total freedom for slaves.