What contributed to the events of and Bleeding Kansas?

Answer 1

Bleeding Kansas was largely fueled by the contentious debate over the expansion of slavery into newly acquired territories following the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which allowed settlers in those territories to decide the issue through popular sovereignty. This led to a rush of pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers into Kansas, resulting in violent clashes. Tensions escalated as both sides committed acts of violence, with notable incidents like the sacking of Lawrence and the Pottawatomie Massacre. The conflict highlighted the deep national divide over slavery, foreshadowing the impending Civil War.