Bleeding Kansas & Caning of Charles Sumner

Fighting at "Bleeding Kansas"

Bleeding Kansas was a battle between those who opposed slavery and those who were pro-slavery. The battle was caused because Kansas was being admitted to the union and the slavery decision of the state was left to popular sovereignty; with that knowledge, armed northerners rushed to Kansas so they could become the majority of the state, therefore Kansas would be a free state. Contradicting this action, Missourians (who were called border ruffians by the press) went to Kansas and voted illegally, therefore shifting the majority to pro-slavery. Of course, the Northern abolitionists, didn't like the Missourians actions; so they formed their own government. By March of 1856 Kansas had two governments.  After awhile, one thing lead to the other, and by the end of 1856 approximately 200 people had died fighting and about 200 million dollars of property had been destroyed. This added to the tensions leading to the civil war because the fight was over the issue of slavery, and it further divided the nation because of the differing opinions.

The Caning of Charles Sumner

Charles Sumner was the Senator of Massachusetts and he was a very passionate abolitionist. In mid- 1856 Senator s from both sides debated the fate of the future of the Western Territories. During one of the debates, Charles Sumner accused the pro-slavery senators of forcing Kansas into the possession of the slave states, more specifically he accused Senator Andrew P. Butler of South Carolina of having "chosen a mistress...the harlot, Slavery." Having been offended by this comment, Butlers second cousin, Representative Preston Brooks, progressed towards Sumner, who was sitting at his desk, Brooks then shouted that Sumner's speech had been "a libel on South Carolina, and Mr. Butler...," before Sumner could respond, Brooks savagely beat Sumner with his gold handled cane. Brooks left the Senator severely injured and left him bleeding on the floor. After the word fled through the towns, Southerners sent Brooks canes and some had the words "Hit Him Again" inscribed in them. This fueled the Civil War because it made the hate between the North and the South very strong, in fact the Northerners believed that "no way is left for the North, but to strike back, or be slaves."