The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 had determined that Kansas and Nebraska would enter the Union as "free" or "slave" states based on a popular vote of those living in the state. This led supporters of both sides to move to Kansas in great numbers in order to try and influence the vote. Eventually, the controversy led to violence and over 55 people were killed in Kansas, giving it the nickname "Bleeding Kansas." The Topeka Convention was an attempt to settle the dispute, but it was ultimately unsuccessful. The fighting in Kansas was a prelude to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861.
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Kansas Memory
From the Kansas State Historical Society, this site has research, primary documents and other information related to the time period referred to as "Bleeding Kansas."
Bleeding Kansas
From PBS, a text based overview of the violence in Kansas.
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