Final answer:
John Brown's raid led to Southerners becoming convinced that the entire North approved of his actions, contributing to the escalation of tensions between North and South, and hastening the secession of Southern states following Lincoln's election.
Step-by-step explanation:
One major impact of John Brown's failed raid on Harpers Ferry was that Southerners became convinced that the whole North approved of Brown. Brown's raid in 1859 and subsequent trial galvanized the South, leading to increased fears of northern aggression toward the institution of slavery. Southerners were deeply troubled by the possibility of more violent abolitionist actions and saw Brown's raid as a direct attack on their way of life. Moreover, the raid contributed to southern desires for federal protection of slavery, ultimately reinforcing the sectional divisions that led to the Civil War.
The execution of John Brown, who refused to plead insanity and suggested sacrificing his life would help end slavery, created an image of martyrdom for some in the North. While most did not condone his violent tactics, the incident highlighted the need to address the issue of slavery and the power dynamics between the North and South. Consequently, the raid was a contributing factor to the events leading to the secession of southern states following Abraham Lincoln's election in 1860, which led to the formation of the Confederate States of America.