"Bleeding Kansas" refers to a period of violent civil confrontations in Kansas Territory between 1854 and 1861 which emerged from a political and ideological debate over the legality of slavery. John Brown was an abolitionist who played a major role in these conflicts.
Imagine two rival sports teams constantly clashing at every game - that's what happened in "Bleeding Kansas". John Brown was like an aggressive team captain on one side (the anti-slavery side) who wasn't afraid to get physical if it meant winning for his team.
Kansas-Nebraska Act: This act allowed people in these territories to decide locally whether to allow slavery. It led directly to Bleeding Kansas due to disagreements over this issue.
Pottawatomie Massacre: An event where John Brown and his followers killed five pro-slavery settlers in Kansas, further escalating tensions.
Popular Sovereignty: The principle that the authority of a state and its government are created and sustained by the consent of its people. It was used to decide whether a state would allow slavery.
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