How did the people in the south view the john brown's raid on Harpers ferry?

The wave of demonstrations that followed in the north the execution of John Brown, came to persuade southerners that:

- the attack on Harper's Ferry was a test of a general armed attack against the South,

- the North virtually demanded the unconditional surrender of the South and was ready to get it by force,

- the future looked very dark and wondered if another large scale Pottawatomie massacre was next to be led against them and their families,

- they felt themselves like being in a besieged fortress and the first task was that of defend their world and way of life.

It seemed therefore evident for the southerners that they should prepare to fight.