John Brown wanted to initiate a large slave rebellion in the South.  He wanted to free the slaves and believed that he was put in the world to promote the killing of slavery.

​Brown believed that the only way to make a difference was bloodshed.  To end slavery, he needed to kill the proslavery advocates.

In early 1857, Brown began planning to invade the South.  He thought that he would be able to form a free state under his leadership.

He raised money in the East and loaded wagons with guns and ammunition.

From the beginning, Brown's plan was doomed.  He had no escape route nor did he have any rations. 

Brown rented a farm five miles North of Harper's Ferry and was going to recruit people from there.