Author: Richard S. Baskas, EdDc

Publisher: Xlibris Corporation

Published: 2010-02-12

Total Pages: 105

ISBN-13: 1450036759

was 30 May 1854 and President Franklin Pierce had signed the Kansas-Nebraska bill opening the Kansas Territory for settlement. Most of Kansas’ growth started with the passing and enactment of the Homestead Law, which was passed in 1862 and became effective on 1 January 1863. This bill allowed people in Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether or not to allow slavery within their borders. The act served to repeal the Missouri Compromise of 1820 which prohibited slavery north of latitude 36 degrees and 30 minutes. The Act infuriated many in the North who considered the Compromise to be a long-standing binding agreement. After the Act was passed, pro-slavery supporters rushed in to settle Kansas to affect the outcome of the first election held there after the law went into effect. Pro-slavery settlers carried the election but were charged with fraud by anti-slavery, and the results were not accepted by them. The anti-slavery settlers held another election; however pro-slavery settlers refused to vote. This resulted in the establishment of two opposing legislatures within the Kansas territory. Violence soon erupted, with the anti-slavery forced led by John Brown. The territory became “Bleeding Kansas” as the death toll rose. President Pierce, in support of the pro-slavery settlers, sent in Federal troops to stop the violence and disperse the anti-legislature. Another election was called.