Effect of John Brown’s Invasion at the South

Effect of John Brown’s Invasion at the South

In the first image of the cartoon, a slave who has been given a pike by John Brown is depicted using the weapon as a potato-farming tool, rather than a weapon to fight with the revolt group as intended. In the bottom image, a southern plantation owner is depicted giving out his weapons to his own slaves so that they can defend the plantation. This concept puts southerners who are afraid their slave will kill them at ease. The female slave in the top right corner is shown ready to fight anyone who threatens to take her away from her plantation. These images criticize the planning, execution, and motivations of John Brown’s plan. This cartoon demonstrates Harper’s Weekly’s attempt to remain neutral on fights between the North and South.

“Effect of John Brown’s Invasion at the South,” Harper’s Weekly, November 19, 1859.

1859-11-19

Micaela Magee

“MUCH OBLIGED TO DAR AR POSSUM WATTOMIE FOR DESE PIKES HE GIN US- DEY'S TURRIBLE HANDY TO DIG TATERS WID.”

“WHAT'S DEM FOOL NIGGERS FRAID ON? I'D LIKE TER SEE ONE O'DEM FOLKS ONDERTAKE TO CARRY ME OFF, I WOULD!”

A SOUTHERN PLANTER ARMING HIS SLAVES TO RESIST IMVASION.