* Bleeding Kansas*
(WHAT REALLY HAPPENED?)

The Kansas-Nebraska act of 1854 established both of these territories, and was a political compromise for westward expansion by rail. There was only one conflict in this act- would these new areas be free or slave states? Anti-slavery forces didn't want an extension of slavery- southerners wanted it as "slave soil", which violated the Good Will Compromise of 1850.

It was ruled that the people living in both areas would vote to decide whether Kansas and Nebraska would be free or slave "soil". Nebraska was already clearly anti-slavery, but people standing on both sides of this issue flocked to Kansas within days of the act's passage.

Border "ruffians" from Missouri also crossed the border, and conflicts between the two sides became violent. A miniature civil war broke out between free soldiers and slave holding Missouri settlers. Fights were gruesome and there was much killing, thus giving it the name Bleeding Kansas.

Sources: Tad Tuleja,"Bleeding Kansas", 1st Edition,The New York Public Library Book of Popular Americana, 1-1-94 (1-9-98)

http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/Roleplayer/Roleplayer28/BleedingKansas.html