John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry 1859 (dec 31, 1858 – jan 1, 1859)
Description:
Abolitionist John Brown (WHITE) attempted to seize a federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, intending to arm enslaved people and spark a slave rebellion. The raid failed, and Brown was executed, but he became a martyr for the abolitionist cause.Brown’s raid increased Southern fears of Northern abolitionist aggression and hastened the South’s move toward secession. His martyrdom galvanized abolitionists and set a tone of violent confrontation in the final years before the war.
Added to timeline:
Date:
dec 31, 1858
jan 1, 1859
~ 24 hours