The authors maintain violence in Congress "serves to illustrate…the United States [was] a deeply divided nation." Is the country as split today as it was in the 19th century?

In 1856 Congressman Preston Brooks nearly beats Senator Charles Sumner to death on the floor of the United States Congress. The authors maintain this level of violence "serves to illustrate…the United States [was] a deeply divided nation." Some would argue the United States is currently deeply divided as well. Do you think the country is as split as it was in the 19th century? In what ways is the current situation similar to the pre-Civil War era, and in what ways is it different, in your opinion?

Yes indeed Congress is almost as split today. No surprise as history repeats itself.

I agree that Congress is still very divided today - thankfully no one is beaten almost to death over differing opinions! Today violence on the floor of Congress is not tolerated, and we have congresswomen :)
From the book it seemed that in the 19th century, our congressmen were more passionate about their opinions and were more courageous in stating and standing behind those opinions. These days there are only a few people on each side willing and brave enough to speak their mind regardless of whether or not it aligns with the party line.
Then and now - I wish more of them would serve the people who put them in office.

If I would have read this book a year ago, I would have said that it was not that similar. But, as soon as I started reading this, my mind went to the current state of our country, especially the secret groups that emerged on January 6th and stormed our capital. Also the different views of our Congress that have difficulty with getting along for the good of our country.

There are certainly similarities. I was surprised at what a large role misinformation played even back then, with people saying all sorts of things about Lincoln and his policies that weren't true at all. There are definitely some pretty major divisions in our country right now. I may be naive but I feel like they're not as serious as the issue that drove the Civil War, however.

We certainly are a deeply divided nation. Not so much physical violence is seen but the divisions are seriously dividing friends and families.

It was interesting as I read the book how many parallels there were with what is going on in our country today. We are a deeply divided nation. This book does give me hope that we can recover from this awful scourge of division and racism we are experiencing.

This book did make me think of today's divisions, with the violence and threat of violence of January 6th. I knew the country was divided at the time of the Civil War, but I had not realized such violence existed. Our country is certainly more inclusive now, so congress looks different, but I think we have seen that violence can still erupt.

I think the country was more divided during the Civil War period than it is now. What makes the time we live in so dangerous is the rapid proliferation of lies and misinformation. Everyone seems to be totally clear in his opinion even when facts and evidence are totally absent. No one is listening. Everyone is talking. The threat of violence is worse now due to more sophisticated and deadly weapons.

If members of “The House of Representatives” were allowed to parade around with AK-47’s like they are in some of their own districts then the Preston Brooks Senator Sumner dispute would be considered no more than a playground scrap.

History repeating itself!

Yes indeed; the parallels to today were startling!

There are certainly parallels -- foremost the January 6 attack on the Capitol. I would note, however, that the clash seems to be among the political extremes, not the more numerous middle. I think in the Civil War era, the middle may have been a smaller proportion of the population. Also, then as now, misinformation played a huge role. Although it did not spread as quickly and opinions were set in stone once established.

The country is more split today than in the 19th century. Media and social media have a wide range and impact. Lies spread and people have become lazy - many don't want to do their own sincere research, listen to both sides, then decide. It's easier for large swaths of the population to sit back and absorb without making an effort. Hence, institutions are attacked, mistrust is fostered, law enforcement is diminished. This all happened to the Weimer Republic when Hitler planned his path (very similar to what is happening now).

Lorrained--your comments are interesting, and I have made similar comparisons. Another concern I have is the disrespect people exhibit for others viewpoints. We need more listening and less shouting at each other, more transparency and facts.

I think our country's split today is very much liken the split around the Civil War. Social media speaks untruths on both sides and I feel this continues to move people further apart.

I am fearful that we are extremely close to that point. The fact that supposed citizen patriots were willing to storm and vandalize our nation's capitol and try to reach the Vice-President and Speaker of the House to do harm to them rather than let the rule of law do its work scared me beyond belief. Our founding fathers were brilliant, but trusting men. They relied on the premise that those in power would always be honorable and abide by the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

I live in the middle of the country in a rural area and do feel very fortunate that at least where I live, even if individuals disagree, they still their family, friends, and neighbors with respect. I hope this moderation can become more prevalent as we process through the aftermath of January 6, 2021.

Buffalo Girl is lucky to live in an area where people who have disagreed about the January 6 insurrection or anything that preceded it during the Trump years remain friends and treat each other with respect. The differing sentiments in the area in which I live have caused the loss of friendships and family relationships. I remember from history classes that the division between the North and the South were clearly cut, but reading about that in history books is a lot different than watching the hatred unfold in my tv room on January 6. If the story of the Baltimore Plot was taught or mentioned, I do not remember the incident. Today those who feel ignored take out their anger in violent ways.

I agree with many of those posting above. We are deeply divided. Misinformation and lies are rampant. Had there been an internet and propaganda spewing networks able to reach millions of people during Lincoln’s time I’m not sure the country would truly ever have been united. I live in the Midwest, here, friendships have been lost, neighbors have turned against neighbor, and local politicians have chosen to fan the flames. I agree with Buffalogirl about “ supposed citizen patriots” she said it well. I used to teach history and Windsong has it right when she said reading about the past and living through historic events are a completely different thing. I used to challenge my students to imagine how they would react if they had lived during the Revolution or the Civi War.Would they be willing to take up arms and fight? What would they imagine their role would be? Patriot? Tory? Yankee or Reb? Or would they try to avoid conflict at all cost? What would they be willing to do? Living now, in a country where as a woman our very right to our own bodies, our self determination is being ripped away from us, our right to travel freely has been removed in numerous states. We live in a perilous time. I never thought I would see a time when my daughter has less rights than I enjoyed and where the legitimate votes of millions of people were at serious risk of being invalidated, and I would turn on my tv and watch the byproduct of an attempted coup unfold in front of me. What stunning history we are all watching, and how frightening it is. The question still remains - what role will you play in preserving our democracy? What role will you play in preserving the rights of all?

It is startling how much the sentiment is similar today to the feelings just before the Civil War. Many of you have commented on seeing this similarity. Many news pundits, especially on a network I shall not name, are saying we are heading for another Civil War!

I think that Congress is even more divided today than it was in Lincoln's time. It would not surprise me to see the same kind of violence happen today as did back then.

I think MariontheLibrarian and Lorraine both made good points. One way to potentially decrease issues associated with people hearing the lies and/or failing to do their own research is to expect more from journalists and the news media. Both could/should challenge candidates and elected officials lies and misinformation at the time of the interviews, news conferences, etc. Gerrieb’s points about “Living now, in a country where as a woman our very right to our own bodies, our self determination is being ripped away from us” yet again highlights the need for journalists to ask male candidates/elected officials why they have not put forth laws to require men to get vasectomies as a way to address the problem of unwanted pregnancies. I know it’s an extreme example to make the point that no one has proposed any legislation that would require men to step up and take responsibility for the problem.

This is a vast and complex nation. The people have competing ideas, values and interests. We have always been able to reconcile them in the past. Even if it gets messy at times. The civil war is different than now because of two things. Sectionalism,the society of the South was different than the North,and as the authors point out the main cause of the Civil War, slavery.

Um,, Does January 6 say nothing about the division in our society that resulted in Congressional violence? I will say, at least the members themselves have not yet devolved into caning but nothing would surprise me.

The issue of inequality remains today. White supremacy continues to be the divide. The frightening actions of Jan. 6 and the continuous rantings of the past President do nothing to alleviate our troubles. I fear for our democracy as Lincoln did. How fortunate we were to have a President that literally 'stood tall."