EP 98: The Caning of Charles Sumner

This week on Hashtag History, we are discussing the Caning of Charles Sumner, also oftentimes referred to as the Brooks-Sumner Affair. On May 22, 1856, during a debate in the Senate chamber regarding slavery, Representative of South Carolina Preston Brooks (who was a huge supporter of slavery) picked up a cane and beat Senator from Massachusetts Charles Sumner nearly to death on the Senate floor. In fact, Sumner was beaten so severely that the walking cane that was used to club him would end up shattering. Sumner would not return to the Senate for THREE YEARS as he recovered from his injuries.

The public beating of a Senator on the Senate Floor was absolutely mind-blowing and is symbolic of the civil tension regarding slavery during the pre-Civil War period.

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