Question

Why did John Brown seize the arsenal at Harpers Ferry

Answer 1

John Brown seized the arsenal at Harpers Ferry in October 1859 as part of his plan to initiate a slave revolt in the southern United States. He believed that by capturing the federal armory, he could arm enslaved people and inspire them to rise up against their oppressors. Brown's ultimate goal was to abolish slavery through violent means if necessary, as he felt that peaceful methods had failed. The raid was intended to be the first step in a broader campaign to end slavery, but it ultimately ended in failure when Brown and his men were confronted by federal troops led by Robert E. Lee. Brown was captured, tried, and subsequently executed, but his actions sparked significant debate over slavery and heightened tensions that contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War.