1. Poor Planning: Brown's plan was not well-thought-out and lacked a clear strategy for achieving his objectives. He underestimated the strength of the opposition and did not have sufficient resources or support to sustain a long-term siege.
2. Lack of Local Support: Brown's raid did not receive widespread support from the local population, including the enslaved African American community. The local people were wary of the potential consequences and were not willing to risk their lives by joining the raid.
3. Government Response: The U.S. government quickly responded to the raid, sending federal troops under the command of Colonel Robert E. Lee to suppress it. Lee's forces surrounded Brown and his followers at the engine house and eventually forced their surrender.
4. Inadequate Communication: Brown's communication with his supporters and allies was insufficient. He failed to effectively coordinate his actions with other abolitionist groups, which resulted in a lack of coordinated support during the raid.
5. Public Perception: The raid at Harpers Ferry was widely condemned by the majority of the public, both in the North and the South. Many people viewed Brown's actions as extreme and unnecessary, further alienating potential supporters and causing divisions within the abolitionist movement.
6. Limited Firepower: Brown and his men were outnumbered and outgunned by the federal troops. They lacked heavy weaponry and were no match for the well-equipped and well-trained U.S. forces.
7. Lack of Strategic Goals: Brown did not have a clear and achievable goal for the raid. While he aimed to spark a slave rebellion, his efforts were too localized and did not generate a widespread uprising as he had hoped.
These factors combined to lead to the failure of John Brown's raid at Harpers Ferry, resulting in his capture, trial, and eventual execution. Despite the raid's failure, it did attract national attention to the issue of slavery and contributed to the growing tensions that eventually led to the American Civil War.