Harper's Ferry

Definition

Harper's Ferry was a town located in Virginia (now West Virginia) that played a significant role in the abolitionist movement and the lead-up to the Civil War. It was the site of John Brown's raid in 1859, where he attempted to seize weapons from a federal armory to arm enslaved individuals for an uprising against slavery.

Related terms

John Brown: An abolitionist who believed in using violent means to end slavery. He led the raid on Harper's Ferry and became a martyr for his cause.

Abolitionism: A social and political movement aimed at ending slavery. Abolitionists fought for immediate emancipation and equal rights for all enslaved individuals.

Federal Armory: A facility where firearms and ammunition are stored by the government. In this context, it refers to the arsenal at Harper's Ferry that John Brown targeted during his raid.