John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry 1859 | The Spark Before the Civil War On October 16, 1859, abolitionist John Brown led his infamous raid on Harpers Ferry, seizing the federal armory in hopes of sparking a massive slave uprising. Instead, he was quickly captured and later executed for treason. Though his plan failed, Brown’s defiance made him a martyr—and his actions pushed America closer to the Civil War. John Brown Harpers Ferry, John Brown raid 1859, John Brown abolitionist, John Brown exec