Final answer:
John Brown's actions, including the raid on Harpers Ferry and his strong abolitionist stance, inspired other abolitionists and aggravated sectional tensions leading to the Civil War, making all of the options correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
John Brown's Contributions to the Civil War
John Brown was a radical abolitionist who made significant contributions to the antislavery cause and ultimately to the events leading up to the Civil War. One of his most notorious actions was leading a raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in October 1859, with the aim of arming enslaved people to start an uprising against slavery. Although the raid did not succeed in sparking a mass rebellion, it had a profound impact on the nation. Brown's actions at Harpers Ferry, combined with his prior aggressive stand against slavery at Pottawatomie Creek and his later dignified demeanor during his trial and execution, galvanized the abolitionist movement. His activities not only advocated for the abolition of slavery but also inspired other abolitionists. Brown saw himself as a martyr to the cause and cultivated this image, which influenced the public opinion, especially in the North, where his execution was met with gun salutes and church bells tolling in his honor. Indeed, Brown's actions exacerbated sectional tensions and increased support for secession in the South, thus escalating the nation closer to the brink of Civil War.
Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is 4) All of the above.