Handout
PBS

Pbs: Bleeding Kansas 1853 1861

For Students 9th - 10th
This site details events surrounding the era known as "Bleeding Kansas" due to the conflict surrounding slavery in what is now Kansas.
Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Franklin Pierce: Domestic Policies

For Students 9th - 10th
As Franklin Pierce became president, the question of slavery in the territories occupied his handling of his domestic policies. Read about the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the resulting turmoil in Kansas as abolitionists and...
Website
Kansas Historical Society

Willing to Die for Freedom: Look Back at Kansas Territory

For Students 9th - 10th
This online exhibit teaches you about "Bleeding Kansas." Follow the hyperlinks to obtain a wealth of information.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: Civil War in Kansas [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
The Compromise of 1850 did not solve all the slavery issues in the territories, which was not surprising. Read about the Kansas-Nebraska Act, put forth by Sen. Stephan Douglas, who proposed that the issue be decided by popular...
Article
University of Groningen

American History: Essays: Politics and Sectionalism: The Bleeding of Kansas

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the tension in Kansas over the issue of slavery after Nebraska voted to be a free state.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: "Bleeding Kansas" and "Bleeding Sumner"

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about how the concept of popular sovereignty expressed in the Kansas-Nebraska Act resulted in political intrigue and murder in Kansas and the caning of a U.S. Senator in the Senate chamber.
Article
PBS

Africans in America: John Brown

For Students 9th - 10th
PBS Online provides a brief biography of John Brown and the way his life affected the abolitionist movement and contributed to the start of the U.S. Civil War.
Handout
Other

The American Civil War Fact Sheet: Bleeding Kansas

For Students 9th - 10th
Fact sheet on Bleeding Kansas with the different views of each side.
Handout
Other

Us Gen Net: American Local History Network: The Struggle for Kansas

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed, 5-page article giving an in-depth look at the problems in Kansas after the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
Handout
Other

Fca Homeschool: History 806

For Students 9th - 10th
A sample lesson plan covering the sectionalism and problems facing the nation in its debate on slavery in the 1850s.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Sack of Lawrence

For Students 5th - 8th
Read about how the destruction of Lawrence, Kansas, seat of the Free-Soiler government by border ruffians inflamed attitudes in the North toward the actions of the slave-holders.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: "Bloody Kansas"

For Students 5th - 8th
Here's an overview of the turmoil caused in the Kansas-Nebraska territory as a result of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Read about the potential of conflict between the free-soilers and the border ruffians.
Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Fort Scott National Historic Site: Bleeding Kansas

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the effects of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. In particular, the site details incidents from the period known as "Bleeding Kansas."
Handout
The White House

The White House: Presidents: Franklin Pierce

For Students 9th - 10th
Details Franklin Pierce's career as the 14th President of the United States and his background information. A portrait is included.
Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: James Buchanan: A Life in Brief

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief look at James Buchanan as president and the controversies he faced. From the Miller Center.
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Us History: 1844 1877: Bleeding Kansas

For Students 9th - 10th
The Kansas-Nebraska Act incited a violent struggle between pro- and anti-slavery advocates in Kansas, on the Senate floor, and eventually throughout the country.
Handout
The History Place

The History Place: The Kansas Nebraska Act

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from The History Place talks about the Kansas Nebraska Act and the effects caused by its creation. The information is brief but very helpful for the subject.
Handout
Kansas Historical Society

Kansapedia: "Bleeding Kansas"

For Students 9th - 10th
When Kansas became a state it would change the balance of power, so there was fighting between the pro- and anti-slavery groups. This page offers an explanation of that piece of Kansas history, plus letters from two who supported Kansas'...
Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: Bleeding Kansas

For Students 9th - 10th
A comprehensive overview with interesting facts about Bleeding Kansas, a series of violent confrontations in Kansas, and border towns of Missouri, after the passing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act.