Why was harper’s ferry, virginia, significant in the antebellum era?

Harper's ferry, Virginia was considered significant  in the antebellum era Because: it was the site of a failed slave rebellion in October of 1859.

This site was known as the site where slave rebellion led by John Brown occurred in 1859. John Brown targeted this place since it was used to store large number of ammunition and weapons. But the raid ended up in failure and John Brown was sentenced to death.

b. they tried to evict the squatters from the area.

so sorry if wrong

to force terrorists groups to stop attacking western targets using massive military force.