Bleeding Kansas Essay Example

“Bleeding Kansas” was a term used by Horace Greeley of the New York Tribune to describe the violence between pro and antislavery forces in the Kansas territory during the mid and late 1850s. The blame of who is responsible for this violence is placed on both sides yet it seems that the South should take more responsibility for the violence there. First off, the south starts the violence with no incitement from the North at the Raid on Lawrence. Then there was the Sumner-Brooks issue after Sumner delivered a insulting speech agains pro-slavery groups. Although the South started the violence, the North did have some responsibility. They retaliate after the Raid on Lawrence and cause deaths. In attempts to get votes to make kansas a free state, Eli Thayer organized the New England Aid Company. This company was made up of approximately 20,000 New Englanders who marched to Kansas carrying rifles supplied by Henry Ward Beech. As soon as the South got word of this, thousands of Southerners ascended into Kansas. In May, 1856, Southerners or Border Ruffians, crossed the Missouri Border and attacked the free-soil community in Lawrence, looting and burning a number of buildings. Only one person was kill, but due to the Souths violent outbreak, the door to violence was opened and the events at Bleeding Kansas had just begun. On May 20, 1856, northerner Senator Charles Sumner made a speech against pro-slavery groups in Kansas. Within this speech, Sumner insulted Senator Andrew Butler, mocking him of a physical handicap. Southerner, Preston Brooks, a relative of Butler, was insulted. Brooks wanted to challenges Sumner to a duel but was told that duels are for people of equal social standings, so he decides to “punish” Sumner with a cane. Two days after the speech was given, Brooks confronted Sumner as he sat writing letters at his desk in an empty senate chamber. Brooks then repeatedly beat Sumner with his cane until unconsciousness was breached. Thus proving how violent an