John Brown's 1859 raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry brought abolitionism and slavery to the forefront of the national conversation.  The support for Brown's raid voiced by influential Northerners increased sectional tensions and support for secession in the South.  After his execution and the subsequent election of President Lincoln, secession became a reality, and Civil War followed.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices