John Brown, who was an abolitionist, led a group in a raid on a federal armory in Harpers Ferry, which was located in West Virginia at the time. This was an attempt to start an armed slave revolt and abolish slavery. John Brown was born in Connecticut in 1800 and raised in Ohio. He came from an antislavery family which added to his desire to free slaves. He never succeeded in any business project and resulted in an increase in debt. In 1837 his life changed when he attended an abolition meeting in Cleveland, it was then that he publicly announced his dedication to the destruction of slavery. The lead up to the attack on Harpers Ferry, the final fall of the attack, and the death of John Brown were what led to the Civil War and the end of slavery in America. John Brown secured the support of six prominent abolitionists, known as the "Secret Six", and assembled an invasion force. During this time he also raised funds to help support his people. His group or "army" grew to include 22 men, including five black men and three of Brown's sons. The group rented a property in Maryland that was ...