The breakdown of fundamental political norms allowed for an increase in violent behavior among political figures. Even before the Civil War began, the halls of Congress were rife with hostility, illustrating a troubling shift towards physical altercations as a means of political expression. Historian Joanne Freeman highlights this troubling trend, noting numerous violent incidents in Congress, including stabbings and weapon confrontations, between 1830 and 1860.

This atmosphere of aggression signaled a broader normalization of extreme political actions, contributing to a discordant environment where civility decreased significantly. Such violence underscored the fragility of democratic institutions and the potential consequences of ignoring essential principles of legislative decorum, ultimately paving the way for more severe hostilities within the nation.