John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry

1859 abolitionist effort to cause a slave revolt

From October 16 to 18, 1859, American abolitionist John Brown attempted to initiate a slave revolt in Southern states by raiding an armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia). The raid is frequently cited as one of the primary causes of the American Civil War. Brown's party of 22 was defeated by a platoon of U.S. Marines, led by First Lieutenant Israel Greene.

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