John Brown-an abolitionist who believed that slavery must be ended by any means. He and his sons organized slaves to revolt at Harper’s Ferry in Virginia in 1859, but the slaves backed out at the last minute, and Mr. Brown’s sons were killed, and John Brown was tried and executed by Virginia.
There were 100,000 weapons stored at the arsenal at Harper’s ferry by 1859.
Harriet Tubman-a slave who escaped in 1849, and used the Underground Railroad to help about 70 family and friends to escape slavery from Maryland to freedom in the North.
Abraham Lincoln-16th President of the US. Issued the Emancipation Proclamation that freed all the slaves in the South in 1863.
As soon as Lincoln was elected South Carolina seceded in December 1860 from the Union, and Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas followed soon after in January 1861.
Jefferson Davis-President of the Confederacy from 1861-1865.
Robert E. Lee-Overall Commander of the Confederate Forces from 1861-1865.
Ulysses S. Grant-Overall Commander of the Union Forces from 1864-1865. Later 18th President.
Frederick Douglas-former slave who ended up being an advisor to President Lincoln on abolition issues. Gifted speaker and writer on anti-slavery issues.