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Quiz about John Brown  Abolitionist
Quiz about John Brown  Abolitionist

John Brown - Abolitionist Trivia Quiz


Today John Brown is often seen as a courageous American martyr who died to free the slaves, but in his day many feared him as a terrorist. Let's learn more about the Great Abolitionist.

A multiple-choice quiz by star_gazer. Estimated time: 6 mins.
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Author
star_gazer
Time
6 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
267,100
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
5 / 10
Plays
539
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. Where and on what date was John Brown born? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. John Brown grew up to have two wives (he remarried after the death of his first), twenty children, and he worked with success and failure both as a tanner and as an expert in fine sheep and wool. In 1837 he consecrated his life to the destruction of slavery due to what notable event? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. It is 1856 and "Kansas bleeds", pro-slavery and abolitionist forces clash in violent skirmishes throughout the territory. Kansas is about to be admitted into the Union and anger rages over whether it should be a free state or a slave state. John Brown leads a group of men who hack five pro-slavery settlers to death. Where did this occur? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. On August 30, 1856 a group of three hundred pro-slavery Missourians had arrived at Osawatomie, Kansas to destroy an anti-slavery settlement. There, a much smaller force of about 40 men met them and through the brilliant leadership of John Brown were able to hold them off and inflict a large number of casualties on the Missouri troops. Who led these pro-slavery Missouri men? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. John Brown traveled to New England and met with many wealthy abolitionists who he persuaded to believe in him. Six rich contributors to his cause became known as the _____ ? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. John Brown met an impressive English mercenary named Hugh Forbes and Brown agreed to hire Forbes as a drillmaster. The whole of Brown's group met at a certain location and Brown began to devise his plot to lead a slave revolt starting at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Where was the location that Brown's group first met to train? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Brown rented a farm house in Maryland and garnered an "army" of only 21 men! On Oct. 16 Brown set out with 17 of these men and invaded Harpers Ferry. At first things went well: they cut the telegraph wires, seized the armoury which had only one guard, and rounded up many hostages within the town. When did things start to go wrong? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. The local milita of Harpers Ferry fought back with a skill and determination that Brown had not expected. After killing members of Brown's raiders they were able to trap Brown inside the armoury. The two groups exchanged fire for a long period the next day when from Washington came a large contingent of US Marines led by whom? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. The US Marines used sledge hammers to break down the door of the building that Brown's group had retreated to. Prior to this Brown had been given the opportunity to surrender but Brown had said he would ...?
Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. John Brown stood trial in Charlestown, Virginia and on November 2 was found guilty of murder, conspiracy, and treason. While he awaited his hanging he wrote many letters to his family that were published, Brown became a hero to the abolitionist cause. On December 2, 1859 Brown was hanged. Even though his raid on Harpers Ferry had failed, through his death Brown achieved his victory. How? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Where and on what date was John Brown born?

Answer: Torrington, Conneticut - May 9, 1800

His parents were Owen Brown and Ruth Mills, John was the 4th of 8 children. In 1805 his father moved the family to Hudson, Ohio so to practice his trade as a tanner.
2. John Brown grew up to have two wives (he remarried after the death of his first), twenty children, and he worked with success and failure both as a tanner and as an expert in fine sheep and wool. In 1837 he consecrated his life to the destruction of slavery due to what notable event?

Answer: The murder of Elijah P. Lovejoy.

Elijah P. Lovejoy was a Presbyterian minister who published the "Alton Observer" in Illinois and used his newspaper to express abolitionist views. Three times angry mobs destroyed his printing press and threw the broken pieces into the Mississippi. Lovejoy was undaunted, he received a fourth press from an Ohio anti-slavery group and was in the warehouse with it when on November 7, 1837 another angry mob attacked.

As Lovejoy tried to prevent the mob from setting fire to the building, he was shot and tragically died.
3. It is 1856 and "Kansas bleeds", pro-slavery and abolitionist forces clash in violent skirmishes throughout the territory. Kansas is about to be admitted into the Union and anger rages over whether it should be a free state or a slave state. John Brown leads a group of men who hack five pro-slavery settlers to death. Where did this occur?

Answer: Pottawatomie

The Sacking of Lawrence was carried out by pro-slavery forces destroying the anti-slavery city. Then Captain Henry Pate led a force of men from Missouri against another free setlement at Palmyra, John Brown's force was able to defeat Pate here at the Battle of Black Jack and Pate was captured.

The killing at Pottawatomie of the five pro-slavery settlers terrified the South who now saw the abolitionists as very violent when in reality most abolitionists believe in peace.
4. On August 30, 1856 a group of three hundred pro-slavery Missourians had arrived at Osawatomie, Kansas to destroy an anti-slavery settlement. There, a much smaller force of about 40 men met them and through the brilliant leadership of John Brown were able to hold them off and inflict a large number of casualties on the Missouri troops. Who led these pro-slavery Missouri men?

Answer: John W. Reid

Jim Lane actually led the 'Army of the North' and was an ally of John Brown, Brown teamed up with him while retreating through Nebraska.

Colonel Edwin Sumner was the man John Brown released Captain Henry Pate to after Brown had captured him.

David Atchison led another pro-slavery Missouri invasion into Kansas the following month, fortunately much of the violence was prevented by the diplomatic efforts of the Kansas Govenor John W. Geary.
5. John Brown traveled to New England and met with many wealthy abolitionists who he persuaded to believe in him. Six rich contributors to his cause became known as the _____ ?

Answer: Secret Six

The Massachusetts State Kansas Committee supported Brown with introductions to important New England people and weapons.

The Declaration of the US Slave Population was written by Brown that put forth his abolitionist ideals he hoped to apply to the new free land he would conquer.

The Subterranean Pass Way was John Brown's belief that the underground railway could end in Kansas not in Canada.
6. John Brown met an impressive English mercenary named Hugh Forbes and Brown agreed to hire Forbes as a drillmaster. The whole of Brown's group met at a certain location and Brown began to devise his plot to lead a slave revolt starting at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Where was the location that Brown's group first met to train?

Answer: Tabor, Iowa

Unfortunately Brown and Forbes started arguing almost immediately and this prevented his small force from becoming unified and prepared. After a while Forbes left Brown's group and threatened to expose Brown's plan to the authorities. This was not a good way to organize for the surprise attack on Harpers Ferry.
7. Brown rented a farm house in Maryland and garnered an "army" of only 21 men! On Oct. 16 Brown set out with 17 of these men and invaded Harpers Ferry. At first things went well: they cut the telegraph wires, seized the armoury which had only one guard, and rounded up many hostages within the town. When did things start to go wrong?

Answer: A train went through the town and reported to Washington DC.

Brown's men tried to make the train halt and fired on it killing the baggage handler. Ironically the baggage handler was a freed black man.
8. The local milita of Harpers Ferry fought back with a skill and determination that Brown had not expected. After killing members of Brown's raiders they were able to trap Brown inside the armoury. The two groups exchanged fire for a long period the next day when from Washington came a large contingent of US Marines led by whom?

Answer: Robert E. Lee

Lee was a Colonel at the time and he brought with him Stuart who was a Lieutenant, Smith and Jackson who both were from Virginia Military Institute led the guard of cadets at Brown's hanging.
9. The US Marines used sledge hammers to break down the door of the building that Brown's group had retreated to. Prior to this Brown had been given the opportunity to surrender but Brown had said he would ...?

Answer: "prefer to die."

After the door was broken down Lieutenant Israel Greene struck Brown on the head - knocking him out, making him a captive, and ending the Harpers Ferry raid.
10. John Brown stood trial in Charlestown, Virginia and on November 2 was found guilty of murder, conspiracy, and treason. While he awaited his hanging he wrote many letters to his family that were published, Brown became a hero to the abolitionist cause. On December 2, 1859 Brown was hanged. Even though his raid on Harpers Ferry had failed, through his death Brown achieved his victory. How?

Answer: All of these.

John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave,
John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave,
John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave,
His soul is marching on!
(Chorus)

Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His soul is marching on!

He captured Harper's Ferry with his nineteen men so true,
And he frightened old Virginia till she trembled through and through,
They hung him for a traitor, themselves the traitor crew,
But his soul is marching on!
Chorus

John Brown died that the slave might be free,
John Brown died that the slave might be free,
John Brown died that the slave might be free,
And his soul is marching on!
Source: Author star_gazer

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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