John Brown ( May 9 , 1800 – December 2 , 1859 ) was an American abolitionist . Brown advocated the use of armed insurrection to overthrow the institution of slavery in the United States . He first gained attention when he led small groups of volunteers during the Bleeding Kansas crisis of 1856 . He was dissatisfied with the pacifism of the organized abolitionist movement : " These men are all talk . What we need is action — action ! " In May 1856 , Brown and his supporters killed five supporters of slavery in the Pottawatomie massacre , which responded to the sacking of Lawrence by pro-slavery forces . Brown then commanded anti-slavery forces at the Battle of Black Jack ( June 2 ) and the Battle of Osawatomie ( August 30 , 1856 )
Pottawatomie massacre
Pottawatomie massacre
John Brown (abolitionist)