Compare and contrast Abraham Lincoln's approach to abolition with that of John Brown.

Abraham Lincoln and John Brown had different approaches to abolition.

Abraham Lincoln, as the 16th President of the United States, believed in using political and legal means to end slavery. He was a moderate who sought to gradually phase out slavery through legislation and constitutional amendments. Lincoln believed in preserving the Union and was willing to compromise on the issue of slavery in order to maintain national unity. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which declared that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be set free. This was a strategic move to weaken the Confederacy and gain support for the Union cause.

On the other hand, John Brown was a radical abolitionist who believed in using violent means to overthrow the institution of slavery. He was involved in the Pottawatomie massacre in Kansas in 1856, where he and his followers killed pro-slavery settlers. Brown also led a raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia in 1859, with the intention of starting a slave rebellion. His actions were seen as extreme and were not widely supported by other abolitionists.

In summary, Abraham Lincoln's approach to abolition was based on political and legal strategies, while John Brown's approach was more radical and involved the use of violence. Despite their differing methods, both men shared the common goal of ending slavery in the United States.