Topic (1.6) Tensions increase: Kansas–Nebraska Act, ‘Bleeding Kansas’, Brooks-Sumner Incident and the Lecompton Constitution

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Introduction

Divisions between the North and South continued to deepen during the 1850s. Many of these disputes centred on Kansas.  The Kansas-Nebraska Act created tension over the idea of Popular Sovereignty, which spilled over into violence between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers in Kansas. Senator Charles Sumner’s condemnation of the South’s part in this led to his caning by Preston Brooks, creating further outrage and hostility. The Lecompton Constitution was a response to the conflict in Kansas which aimed to ensure the state would allow slavery, despite the presence of many anti-slavery settlers.

All these events helped to build the concept of a Slave Power conspiracy in the minds of many in the North.

Read and Make Notes

Use your coursebook and these extra resources to make notes.

Read pages 22–23 and 25–33 in your coursebook and make notes on the Kansas–Nebraska Act, ‘Bleeding Kansas’, Brooks-Sumner incident and the Lecompton Constitution.