Bleeding Kansas
During the 1850’s the territory of Kansas was the site of numerous clashes
between proslavery factions often call “border ruffians” and supporters of the
antislavery movement. The population grew within the future state as the New
England Emigrant Aid Society sent antislavery members to homestead. Proslavery
factions crossed territorial borders to vote illegally in state elections. The
two groups were determined the state would enter the union as a slave or Free State
accordingly. Provisional constitutions and temporary governments were
established in Lecompton and Topeka with each area claiming their political
cause to be the winner.
Events culminated with the sacking of free state Lawrence by proslavery
agitators. The abolitionist, John Brown, retaliated with the brutal slaying of
proslavery followers in eastern Kansas. The first shots of the Civil War were
fired, and the stage was set for the violent confrontation which followed.
Helpful resources for research about “bleeding Kansas” include:
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