1. What are some politically divisive issues today?
Vote! (similar to popular sovereignty)
Debate!

2. EQ: How did the events in Kansas illustrate the issues that were dividing the nation?

3. 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act Dem. Stephen Douglas
Popular sovereignty in KS & NE territories
Effectively repealed Missouri Comp.

4. “Border Ruffians” vs Free Soilers
Nov 1854 election
1,700+ fraudulent ballots
March 1855 election
5,000 “Border Ruffians” led by Sen. Atchison
proslavery govt elected
 Free Soilers held separate convention

5.  2 govts in Kansas Proslavery govt in Lecompton
Anti-slavery govt in Topeka
Dem Pierce elected 1852 v Whig Winfield Scott
Whig party split by K-N Act  demise
Dem Buchanan elected 1856 v Rep. John Fremont (CA) v Know-Nothings Fillmore (Buchanan v Fillmore in South, Buchanan v Fremont in North)
By Jan govts – official one at Lecompton and unofficial one rep. majority of citizens in Topeka

7. “Bleeding Kansas”

8. John Brown
Tragic Prelude by John Steuart Curry, illustrating John Brown and the clash of forces in Bleeding Kansas

9. Caning of Charles Sumner May 22, 1856

10. Slave or free state? 1857 Lecompton Constitution (pro-slavery)
Buchanan supported
Rejected by House
Allowed re-vote with polls guarded  failed
1861 became a free state

11. EQ: How did the events in Kansas illustrate the issues that were dividing the nation?