Question

Why did John Brown attack the Federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry in Virginia?

Answer 1

The answer would be " He wanted a base from which to start a slave uprising"

Answer 2

The reason why John Brown attack the federal arsenal at harper's ferry in virginia was:  He wanted a base from which to start a slave uprising

The arsenal in harper's ferry Virginia contain a lot of weapons and amunitions that Brown can use in the uprising. The structure of the place could also be used as a defensive fortress for hiding or sustain an attack from the opposition. But eventually , the anti-abolitionists managed to defeat him and he was executed.