Question

Why did the caning of Charles Sumner divide the North and the South before

the Civil War?
OA. A Northern slave merchant attacked an escaped slave in
Massachusetts.
B. A Northern abolitionist attacked a Southern plantation owner in
South Carolina.
C. A Southern police officer attacked an abolitionist in the Virginia
House of Burgesses.
OD. A Southern representative attacked a Northern senator in
Congress.

Answer 1

The caning of Charles Sumner divided the North and the South before the Civil War due to a Southern representative attacking a Northern senator in Congress.

Step-by-step explanation:

The caning of Charles Sumner divided the North and the South before the Civil War because:

• Option D: A Southern representative attacked a Northern senator in Congress.

This act of violence highlighted the deep divisions between the North and the South over the issue of slavery. The Southern representative, Preston Brooks, attacked Charles Sumner due to his anti-slavery speech, which further fueled tensions between the two regions. Southerners praised Brooks as a hero defending their honor, while Northerners viewed Sumner as a martyr for the cause against slavery. This incident contributed to the perception of irreconcilable differences between the North and the South, ultimately leading to the outbreak of the Civil War.