Bleeding Kansas EQ: How was Popular Sovereignty applied in Kansas, and how effective was its use?

Flashback to Missouri Compromise “KANSAS SHOULD BE A FREE STATE!”

The Transcontinental Railroad To fully take advantage of Manifest Destiny, Americans start to push for a railroad that will connect the country from East Coast to West Coast North and South fight over where to put the railroad

The Gadsden Purchase Franklin Pierce’s Secretary of War Jefferson Davis (this guy becomes VERY important soon…remember his name) sends James Gadsden to purchase this land from Mexico for $10 Million- opens up Southern railroad route.

Stephen Douglas The Little Giant has other ideas! He wants the railroad to go through Illinois.

The Kansas-Nebraska Act- 1854 Repealed the Missouri Compromise Created 2 territories- Kansas and Nebraska Slavery in both territories would be determined by popular sovereignty Nebraska would most definitely be a free state while Kansas could possibly be a slave state Bill pushed through by Stephen Douglas

The Kansas Nebraska Act

Reaction to Kansas-Nebraska Supported by all Southerners and some Northern Democrats Supported by President Franklin Pierce (Democrat) Most Northerners are furious- We had a deal with the Missouri Compromise Creates controversy across the country

Other Effects: Divides Northern Democrats Divides and destroys the Whig Party Most importantly- leads to the creation of the Republican Party (more on parties tomorrow)

Popular Sovereignty= Epic Fail The vote in Kansas is extremely corrupt and ends up being for pro-slavery. Pro-slavery groups (called Border Ruffians) and Ant-Slavery groups (called Free-Staters) “move” into Kansas to affect the voting outcome. 1,500 registered voters and 6,307 votes are cast.

1 Territory but 2 Governments Pro-Slavery supporters set up a government in Lecompton Anti-Slavery supporters set up a government in Topeka President Franklin Pierce supports pro-slavery government (Big Surprise) The constant fights and overall tension in the territory earns it the nickname “Bloody Kansas” or “Bleeding Kansas”

The Sack of Lawrence Pro-Slavery posse attacks free staters city Burn governors house, destroy printing press, and try to intimidate free staters (only death was pro slavery raider who was crushed by ceiling)

John Brown and the Pottawatomie Massacre Enter John Brown. He and his 4 sons drag pro slavery supporters from their homes and hack them to death with broadswords. Leaves their mutilated bodies as a warning to others We aren’t done with John Brown yet…more on him later.

The Beating of Charles Sumner Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner gives a speech in the Senate “The Crime Against Kansas”. Ridiculed the Kansas-Nebraska Act and it’s authors, Sen. Stephen Douglass of IL and Andrew Butler from SC. Used sexually suggestive language regarding Butler and the female slaves he owned; speech was intentionally crass and crude. Rep. Preston Brooks (Sen. Butler’s cousin) is angry at the slander and vows revenge. 2 days later, Brooks enters the Senate chambers, walks up to Sumner and beats him at his desk with a cane, almost killing Sumner.

Sumner a Martyr, Brooks a Hero Sumner is a Martyr in the north, and Brooks is a hero in the south Southern plantation owners send over 1,000 canes to Brooks telling him to “Hit Him Again”

Sumner Beating Brooks is convicted of battery, but the House was unable to expel him (he resigned anyway). In his own defense, Brooks said he didn’t intend to kill Sumner…if had intended to do so, he would’ve used a different weapon  After beating, many Senators entered the Chambers armed with weapons to protect themselves. Brooks is reelected to Congress after resigning. Brooks/Sumner incident reflects a breakdown of reasoning over the issue of slavery. In the North, it showed anti-slavery elements that the south had lost interest in trying to find a peaceful solution to slavery.

The Legacy of Bleeding Kansas Kansas becomes a free state in 1861 after secession begins John Brown becomes a controversial hero for the North North/South tensions at an all time high- Civil War is all but inevitable.