American Carnage

As John Brown and his men swing their steel broadswords on a moon-lit night, we look at the fierce debate among historians over whether even the most righteous forms of political violence can be justified. [Subscribers can get EARLY ACCESS to Episode Four, "No Ghost of a Distinction" by throwing $3 our way at American Carnage on Patreon.] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What would you have been willing to do to free the slaves if you woke up tomorrow in early 19th Century America? Host and co-writer Jeff Stein is the White House economics reporter for The Washington Post.Co-writer Rowley Amato is an editor in New York City. Sophia Kurzius is our producer.Theme music by Ned Porter. “John Brown’s Body” performed by Stephen Griffith.Artwork by Elena Lacey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

[Audio quality tends to be better on head phones; apologies for any imperfections]In a fight to the death on the cold, harsh Kansas prairie, John Brown finds himself at odds with his fellow antislavery settlers.Quick correction: We refer in this episode to the Ruffian leader as "Benjamin Frank Stringfellow." It is in fact Benjamin Franklin Stringfellow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices