What was John Brown's objective during the raid on Harper's Ferry?

John Brown's objective during the raid on Harper's Ferry was to start an armed slave revolt. He aimed to seize the federal arsenal located at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, with the intention of redistributing weapons to enslaved people in the region, thereby inciting a rebellion against slaveholders. Brown believed that by doing so, he could inspire enslaved individuals to rise up and fight for their freedom, fundamentally challenging the institution of slavery in the United States.

His actions were rooted in a deep conviction against slavery, and he viewed armed insurrection as a necessary step toward achieving liberation for enslaved people. This raid, which occurred in 1859, ultimately failed and resulted in Brown's capture and execution, but it significantly heightened tensions between the North and South and contributed to the escalating conflict leading up to the Civil War.