Why Is John Brown's Harpers Ferry Raid Considered A Turning Point On The Road To War. It has been called the dress rehearsal for the american civil war. John brown's raid on harpers ferry was an effort by abolitionist john brown, from october 16 to 18, 1859, to initiate a slave revolt in southern states by taking over the united states arsenal at harpers ferry, virginia (since 1863, west virginia).

Raid on harpers ferry summary: Marines, led by first lieutenant israel greene John brown's raid on harpers ferry was an effort by abolitionist john brown, from october 16 to 18, 1859, to initiate a slave revolt in southern states by taking over the united states arsenal at harpers ferry, virginia (since 1863, west virginia).