Commoners were fighting because they feared another Saint-Domingue. Harper's Ferry and the resulting beatification of the cretinous half-retard John Brown by abolitionists did not help. "Abolitionists want us all dead" is an easy sell when abolitionists are celebrating a man who tried (very poorly) to do just that.

e: While John Brown was trying to seize real weapons, it was the improvised polearms that were used to convince southerners that they were in danger. The improvised weapons were sent to southern governors, senators and anyone with influence. Knives tied to poles aren't any threat to an armed man but are perfect for slaughtering women and children.

Commoners were fighting because they feared another Saint-Domingue. Harper's Ferry and the resulting beatification of the cretinous half-retard John Brown by abolitionists did not help. "Abolitionists want us all dead" is an easy sell when abolitionists are celebrating a man who tried (very poorly) to do just that.