Was John Brown's attack on Harper's Ferry good for the north or the south?

John Brown's attack on Harper's Ferry in 1859 was more beneficial for the North than the South in the long run, as it galvanized abolitionist sentiment and heightened tensions over slavery. While it failed to incite a widespread slave rebellion, it painted Brown as a martyr for the anti-slavery cause, inspiring further activism in the North. Conversely, the South viewed the raid as a direct threat, leading to increased paranoia and a solidification of pro-slavery sentiments, ultimately contributing to the division between the two regions.