Crime Against Kansas

Definition

The Crime Against Kansas refers to a speech delivered by Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner in 1856, criticizing pro-slavery forces in Kansas and accusing them of violence and fraud in the territorial elections. This term highlights the intense conflict over slavery in Kansas, which became a battleground for pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions following the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854, a significant event tied to the Compromise of 1850.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Charles Sumner delivered his speech on May 19 and 20, 1856, which criticized both slavery and specific individuals, including Senator Andrew Butler.
2. Sumner's speech was inflammatory and led to a physical assault by Congressman Preston Brooks, who attacked Sumner in the Senate chamber with a cane.
3. The violence surrounding the Crime Against Kansas and the subsequent caning incident intensified the national debate over slavery and exemplified the growing sectional tensions.
4. The phrase 'Crime Against Kansas' became symbolic of the brutality and moral questions surrounding slavery in the territories, contributing to the rise of the Republican Party.
5. This incident also illustrated how political discourse had deteriorated into violence, foreshadowing the civil strife that would erupt during the Civil War.

Review Questions

• How did the Crime Against Kansas speech reflect the political climate of its time?
  • The Crime Against Kansas speech by Charles Sumner reflected an increasingly polarized political climate where discussions about slavery became heated and personal. By targeting pro-slavery advocates directly, Sumner's remarks highlighted the moral outrage felt by many Northerners towards the violence in Kansas. This kind of passionate rhetoric indicated a breakdown in civil discourse, suggesting that differences over slavery could no longer be resolved through debate alone.
• Discuss how the events surrounding the Crime Against Kansas influenced public opinion on slavery in America.
  • The events surrounding the Crime Against Kansas significantly influenced public opinion on slavery by bringing the violent struggles in Kansas to national attention. Sumner's speech galvanized anti-slavery sentiment in the North, while Preston Brooks' violent reaction showcased Southern aggression in defense of slavery. This clash not only heightened tensions but also encouraged more people to take a stand either for or against slavery, contributing to growing sectional divides that would lead to further conflict.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of the Crime Against Kansas on American politics leading up to the Civil War.
  • The long-term impacts of the Crime Against Kansas on American politics were profound, as it exacerbated existing tensions between North and South. The violent reaction to Sumner’s speech illustrated how deeply divided American society had become over slavery. It led to increased radicalization among both pro- and anti-slavery factions, contributing to events like Bleeding Kansas and ultimately influencing major political realignments such as the emergence of the Republican Party. These developments set the stage for larger conflicts that would culminate in the Civil War.

Related terms

Kansas-Nebraska Act:

A law passed in 1854 that created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, allowing settlers to determine whether they would allow slavery through popular sovereignty.

Bleeding Kansas:

A series of violent confrontations between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers in Kansas from 1854 to 1859, reflecting the broader national conflict over slavery.

Compromise of 1850: A package of five bills aimed at resolving tensions between slave and free states, which included provisions like California entering as a free state and the strengthening of the Fugitive Slave Act.