The John Brown raid, which took place in October 1859, involved an attempt by abolitionist John Brown and a group of followers to seize the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia), with the goal of using the weapons to initiate a slave uprising. The raid ultimately failed.
The outcome included:
-
Capture: Brown and his men were quickly surrounded by U.S. Marines, led by Colonel Robert E. Lee. Brown was captured on October 18, 1859, after just two days of fighting. Some of his followers were killed during the raid or in the ensuing conflict.
-
Trial and Execution: John Brown was tried for treason, murder, and insurrection. He was found guilty and sentenced to death. He was executed by hanging on December 2, 1859.
-
Impact on the Nation: The raid polarized public opinion in the United States. Abolitionists viewed Brown as a martyr for the anti-slavery cause, while many in the South saw him as a terrorist. The event heightened tensions between the North and South and is often cited as a critical moment leading up to the American Civil War.
The raid and its aftermath underscored the deep divisions in the country over the issue of slavery, contributing to the growing conflict that would eventually erupt into war in 1861.