38: Law & Disorder pt.2: A Beautiful Country

Grant Thomas
Jan 31, 2024
3 min read

Updated: May 9

In today's podcast episode, Grant covers some Civil War history. Specifically, the life and legend of John Brown. Abolitionist, hero, domestic terrorist? Depends on who you ask. Also covered is the conflict known as “Bleeding Kansas”, the raid on Harpers Ferry, and the work of important abolitionists like Fredrick Douglas and Gerrit Smith.

It’s a frosty catch-up session that leads us straight into 1800s American history—specifically the life (and wild times) of John Brown. First, Grant and Maia share comedic chaos about frigid weather, too many soups, and a mysterious “candy heist” at a recent speech tournament. Then we dive deep into abolitionist John Brown: his devout Calvinist upbringing, his many children with two wives, his infamous raids in “Bleeding Kansas,” and the final showdown at Harpers Ferry that locked in his legacy. Along the way, they explore Brown’s unwavering religious convictions, his willingness to embrace violence to end slavery, and how that turned him into both a historical legend and a polarizing figure.

Chapters/Key takeaways to listen for

[00:00:00] Snow Day Soup & Mystery Candy: Catch up on the freezing Colorado weather, canceled plans, and how soup inevitably saves the day
[00:25:02] A Beautiful Country: Early life, devout Calvinism, that fateful moment witnessing the abuse of an enslaved boy and why Brown’s life mission crystallized early
[00:34:20] The Kansas-Nebraska Act and Bleeding Kansas: How “popular sovereignty” created chaos, especially in Kansas
[00:55:10] Harpers Ferry Raid: The initial success followed by the ultimate collapse, Brown’s arrest, trial, and legendary final speech
[01:24:45] Legacy, Martyrdom & The March Toward Civil War: How Brown inspired “John Brown’s Body,” which then led to “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”
[02:03:00] Wrap-Up & Random Jersey Surprise: Custom jerseys and a quick reflection on how close in time we actually are to the Civil War

Photo Referenced:

*John Brown - courtesy of Torrington Historical Society*

Quotes:

“Christ was born across the sea with the glory in his bosom. That trend figures here and me as he died. To make men holy. Let us live to make men free.” - Grant Thomas
“The only way the institution of slavery will ever come to an end in this country is through radical bloodshed until the institution ends. And he sure intends to be that radical bloodshed.”- Grant Thomas

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