History of how Kansas became a state?

Answer 1

The implication concerning whether or not Kansas should become a slave state was a far-reaching one. There was such a delicate balance of opinion that it took four attempts at writing a constitution for ratification by Congress. The battle raged on often needing the intervention of Federal Troops. In 1859, the people of Kansas approved a constitution prohibiting slavery. The population was 107,206 at that time. In April of 1860 the Kansas constitution was approved by the House of Representatives, but was refused by the Senate which was under a pro-slavery majority. Because of the Senate's refusal to admit Kansas as a state, the issue erupted into a national political issue. In order to be admitted, there had to be a substantial shift in power in the Senate and the presidency. It wasn't until January 29, 1861, that the bill making Kansas the 34th state reached President James Buchanan's desk and was signed.

Answer 2

By popular vote.

This was meant to be the peaceful way to settle the slavery question - to allow the people of each new state to vote whether it should be a slave state or free soil.

In fact, it had the opposite effect, with terrorists from both sides entering the state to intimidate voters and declare all the results to be rigged.

In the end, it was clear that Kansas was voting to be free soil. But the experiment was never repeated. It had raised the tensions, and brought war nearer.

Of course, just a few years later, all new states would be free soil.

Answer 3

Kansas became a state shortly after the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 was passed, allowing popular sovereignty to decide on the statehood of Kansas (and Nebraska).

Answer 4

With the Kansas-Nebraska Act