Lesson 10.03: Bloodshed Begins

• Introduction
• Bleeding Kansas
• Bloodshed in the Senate
• John Brown
• Practice
• Summary & Tasks

Bleeding Kansas

The nation's attention turned to Kansas in 1856, as the territory began to organize elections. The passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act made the events transpiring in Kansas particularly important for the slavery debate because the Act mandated that the people of Kansas decide for themselves the status of slavery. Groups both supporting and opposing slavery rushed into Kansas to settle in anticipation of important elections. With extreme minded individuals, many armed with weapons, settling the area it was only a matter of time before blood would be shed.

As you read about the Kansas events provided at the link below, begin the 10.03 Bloodshed questions. You will continue the questions in the next section.

Read U.S.History: Bloody Kansas. Note: Please read the pages starting with "Bloody Kansas" and ending at the bottom of the page "Pottawatomie Creek Massacre". There will be another link later to provide information for the remaining questions.