What was Bleeding Kansas?

Bleeding Kansas was a term coined by the New York Tribune in reference to hostilities between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in the Kansas Territory between 1854-1859.

What started the hostilities of Bleeding Kansas?

The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 allowed for popular sovereignty in deciding whether Kansas would be admitted to the Union as a free state or a slave state. Advocates for both sides of that issue flocked to Kansas to establish residency to be able to vote, and this brought the opposing sides into conflict.

How many people died during Bleeding Kansas?

At least 60 people died during Bleeding Kansas, but that number is probably low, as it is unknown how many deaths went unreported.

How did Bleeding Kansas end?

Hostilities of Bleeding Kansas are usually dated 1854-1859, but actually continued throughout the American Civil War, and were only ended by the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865, abolishing slavery.

Timeline: Bleeding Kansas

Definition

'Bleeding Kansas' was a term coined by the New York Tribune in 1856, referring to the escalating hostilities in the Kansas Territory between pro-slavery activists and anti-slavery 'free staters' following the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. Violent confrontations between these two factions went on from 1854 to 1859, though hostilities would continue through 1861, when Kansas was admitted to the Union as a free state, and continue through the American Civil War.

More about: Bleeding Kansas

Timeline

1854 - 1859
Hostilities in Kansas Territory between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions come to be known as Bleeding Kansas.
1854
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 ignites the hostilities and violence of Bleeding Kansas.
1855
Wakarusa War is the first conflict of Bleeding Kansas.
1856
Pro-slavery advocates sack the free-state city of Lawrence, Kansas.
1856
Pottawatomie Massacre: John Brown and his sons murder five pro-slavery advocates.
Aug 1856
Battle of Osawatomie: free-state town is burned by pro-slavery forces.
1858
The Marais des Cygnes Massacre: Pro-slavery advocates kidnap 11 men, killing five.
1859
Abolitionist Dr. John Doy and his son are arrested by pro-slavery militia for "slave stealing" - Doy is later rescued by The Immortal Ten.
1859
Battle of the Spurs: a minor conflict in Bleeding Kansas history.
1861 - 1865
Hostilities in Kansas continue throughout the American Civil War.
1861
Kansas is admitted to the Union as a free state.
1865
Hostilities in Bleeding Kansas are finally ended by the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment, abolishing slavery.

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