Bleeding Kansas"
5 Jan 1854
Causes: The Kansas-Nebraska Act established popular sovereignty in the new territories.
People: Stephen Douglas, President Pierce
Effects: Proslavery and anti-slavery forces flooded into Kansas and began fighting over whether Kansas would be a slave or free state. Charles Sumner was nearly killed by a Southern Democrat on the Senate floor. The Democratic party grew more divided in the North and South, leading to the formation of the Republican Party.