Kansas-Nebraska Act
Who
Stephen A. Douglas-- a selfish senator who proposed the creation of the Kansas and Nebraska Territories, supporting the creation of a planned railroad going through the territory. Douglas was eager to break the feud between the north and south over westward expansion, and wanted the new railway to go through chicago since he invested a lot of money into chicago real estate.
What
Act: the Nebraska territory would be split into two: Nebraska in the North (most likely free), Kansas in the south (most likely south), but their status on slavery would be settled by popular sovereignty.
This act defied the Missouri Compromise because Nebraska was north of the 36˚30', and (to northerners) should not be chosen to popular sovereignty because Kansas would most likely become slave, thus expanding slavery. Southerners approved the bill, as did pro-expansion President Pierce.
This act defied the Missouri Compromise because Nebraska was north of the 36˚30', and (to northerners) should not be chosen to popular sovereignty because Kansas would most likely become slave, thus expanding slavery. Southerners approved the bill, as did pro-expansion President Pierce.
When
In 1854, after/during discussions of a Pacific Railroad because transportation was a problem throughout the mexican territory, especially throughout Oregon and California. Before "bleeding Kansas" which would prove that popular sovereignty was impractical in the Kansas territory.
Impact
- The fury over the Kansas-Nebraska act caused the creation of the Republican Party, which was an all-northern group who thought that slavery should be prohibited in all territories. Also nominated future President Abraham Lincoln for 1860, which worried the south, and his platform contributed to their secession once he was elected President.
- North Believed that popular sovereignty would lead to an expansion of slavery in an otherwise non-slave state.
- Led to a "fight" for Kansas, bringing in abolitionists from the north and supporters of slavery from the south
- Led to elections in 1855 for Kansas legislature: Illegal ballots and fraud by both sides--Lecompton Constitution (proslavery)
- Led to "Bleeding Kansas" in 1856, proving violence was becoming a resort.
Elections in Kansas
Who
North-fighting for a Free State
South- fighting for a Slave State.
South- fighting for a Slave State.
What
By Kansas-Nebraska act, Kansas could decide their status of slavery by popular sovereignty, bringing in many people from both pro-slavery south and abolitionist north (New England Emigrant Aid Company) trying to "fight" for their cause.
1855- Election time to elect members of the first territorial legislature:
1855- Election time to elect members of the first territorial legislature:
- Proslavery "border ruffians" come in from Missouri to vote early and often- South triumphs and sets up government at Shawnee Mission.
- Free-soilers are angry from the southern illegal ballots, they establish their own government in Topeka.
- 1857- Kansas allowed to apply for statehood with popular sovereignty, and the dominant proslavery forces issued the Lecompton Constitution (protected slavery in Kansas even if voted Free). -shot down by Douglas and Free-soilers.
When
1855, right after Kansas-Nebraska Act. Kansas was sure to become a slave state because of its slave-holding neighbors, but that was doubted when Free-soilers began to crowd Kansas, thus was a contest for Kansas. During "Bleeding Kansas".
Impact
- Showed how desperate both North and South was becoming towards their differential views over slavery in territories
- Tension was brewing between the North and the South over Kansas, that it led to the burning of the Free-soil town, Lawrence, and John Brown rises equipped with his vengeful and murderous schemes--bleeding Kansas.
- in 1856 "bleeding Kansas" went to the Senate in the Sumner-Brooks clash--the first blows of the Civil War, as hostility was so high that even senators were in on the violence.