Chapter 10 The Union in Peril

1. Chapter 10The Union in Peril Section 2 (B) Notes Violence Erupts

2. Bleeding Kansas • Both pro-slavery and abolitionists were competing for the fertile soil of Kansas. • Large numbers of settlers from both the North and South were coming to the Kansas territory.

3. Territorial Vote • By March of 1855, there were enough settlers in Kansas to vote on its admission as a territory. • But thousands of pro-slavery “ruffians” from Missouri crossed into Kansas and voted illegally. • The abolitionists were furious and set up their own Kansas government to fight back.

4. The “Sack” of Lawrence • Earlier, a group of anti-slavery settlers founded a Kansas town named Lawrence. • A court called them traitors and called for their arrest. • In 1856, a group of armed men burned the anti-slavery headquarters and destroyed many homes, stores and a printing press.

5. The Pottawatomie Massacre • The abolitionist, John Brown, wanted revenge for Lawrence. • He attacked a pro-slavery settlement on Pottawatomie Creek and killed five men who were asleep in their beds. • Brown’s massacre triggered dozens of incidents across Kansas, killing over 200 people.

6. Violence in the Senate • MA Senator, Charles Sumner made a nasty speech in which he verbally attacked those who supported slavery • A few days later, a nephew of one of the men Sumner made fun of, entered the Senate chamber and repeatedly hit Sumner on the head with his cane.

7. Impasse • Southerners applauded the attack urging Brooks to “hit him again.” • Northerners said the attack was an act of brutality against free speech. • New tensions emerged as it seemed that there was no compromise that would satisfy either side.