What event escalated tensions between the North and South after John Brown's revolt?

The event that escalated tensions between the North and South following John Brown's revolt was the increased calls for Northern abolitionists to act. John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859 was a significant and violent attempt to incite a slave rebellion, which alarmed many in the South and heightened their fear of further insurrection. The reaction in the North was mixed, but many abolitionists rallied in support of Brown's motives, viewing him as a martyr for the anti-slavery cause. This rallying led to widespread discussions and calls for more assertive abolitionist actions, further polarizing the already tense national atmosphere between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions.

The call to action among abolitionists represented a clear divide, as many Northerners began to view the fight against slavery as not just a moral obligation but as a pressing necessity, characterized by urgency and passionate advocacy. This led to heightened tensions, as the South interpreted such calls as a direct threat to their social and economic system based on slavery.