Pro-Slavery Movement in Kansas
The passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854 ignited a fierce struggle for control of the Kansas Territory, transforming it into a battleground between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces. This pivotal legislation, which allowed residents to decide on the issue of slavery through popular sovereignty, set the stage for a tumultuous period in American history, known as "Bleeding Kansas."
The Race to Settle Kansas
Immediately following the enactment of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, both pro-slavery and anti-slavery advocates recognized the importance of populating the territory to sway the outcome of the impending elections. While Nebraska, due to its geographical location, remained relatively unaffected by the slavery debate, Kansas became the focal point of intense political maneuvering.
The Rise of Anti-Slavery Societies
Even before the Kansas-Nebraska Act was officially passed, Eli Thayer, a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, had the foresight to establish the New England Emigrant Aid Company. This organization, along with numerous others that emerged after the act’s passage, shared a common goal: to encourage the migration of abolitionist New Englanders to Kansas, ensuring that the territory would ultimately become a Free-State. By the summer of 1855, these efforts had resulted in the settlement of over 9,000 Free-State supporters in Kansas.
The Southern Response: Protecting a Way of Life
Not to be outdone, Southerners rallied to defend their way of life and economic interests, which were deeply rooted in the plantation system and the institution of slavery. With Missouri bordering Kansas, pro-slavery settlers poured across the border, establishing Town Association Companies and founding some of the territory’s earliest cities, including Leavenworth and Atchison.
The Descent into Violence: "Bleeding Kansas"
For seven long years, Kansas became a battleground between pro-slavery and Free-State factions, as popular sovereignty spiraled into violence. Secret pro-slavery organizations, known as "Blue Lodges," emerged throughout the South, operating under various names such as "Friends Society," "Social Band," "Dark Lantern Society," and "Sons of the South." These societies shared the objective of promoting the interests of the slave power. Members were bound by solemn oaths, and severe penalties were imposed for any violation of the oath or disclosure of the organization’s secrets. The Blue Lodges were a branch of the Knights of the Golden Circle, sharing the common goal of extending slavery.
The Electoral Showdown: Fraud and Intimidation
The conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions reached a boiling point on May 30, 1855, during the Kansas territorial elections. Despite only 1,500 registered voters, an astonishing 6,000 ballots were cast, many by pro-slavery "border ruffians" from Missouri. This blatant voter fraud resulted in the election of a pro-slavery legislature, which swiftly enacted laws designed to entrench slavery, including statutes that restricted office-holding and jury service to pro-slavery men and imposed harsh penalties for questioning the legality of slavery in Kansas.
The Free-State Response: A Rival Government
Outraged by the fraudulent elections, Free-Staters refused to recognize the legitimacy of the pro-slavery legislature, derisively labeling it the "Bogus Legislature." In response, they convened their own "Free State" convention in Topeka in the fall of 1855, drafting a constitution that explicitly prohibited slavery in Kansas. The Topeka Constitution was overwhelmingly approved by the territory’s voters, and the Free-State government petitioned Congress for admission to the Union as a free state.
A Divided Territory: Two Legislatures, Two Visions
Kansas now found itself with two rival legislatures, each claiming legitimacy and representing opposing visions for the territory’s future. President Franklin Pierce, however, sided with the pro-slavery legislature and urged Congress to admit Kansas to the Union as a slave state, a request that was ultimately denied.
The Law and Order League: Maintaining Control Through Force
In 1855, another organization, the Law and Order League, also known as the Army of Law and Order, was formed. Despite its name, this was not a group dedicated to peace and good government. Instead, it was an armed force, estimated to consist of 500 to 1,100 men, organized by David R. Atchison and John H. Stringfellow. Their policy was the banishment or extermination of Free-State men in the territory.
The Sacking of Lawrence: A Catalyst for Violence
Popular sovereignty descended into open violence on May 21, 1856, when 800 pro-slavery men, many from Missouri, marched into Lawrence, Kansas, with the intention of arresting the leaders of the Free-State government. The posse burned the local hotel, looted homes, destroyed anti-slavery printing presses, and killed one man.
Retaliation and Escalation: John Brown’s Response
The Sacking of Lawrence ignited a war of revenge in Kansas, led by the abolitionist John Brown. In retaliation, Brown and six companions dragged five pro-slavery men and boys from their beds at Pottawatomie Creek, brutally murdering them. This act of violence triggered a series of battles and skirmishes, including the Battles of Black Jack and Franklin in June, the Battles of Fort Saunders, Titus, and Osawatomie in August, and the Battle of Hickory Point in September 1856.
Guerilla Warfare and Devastation
Both sides engaged in armed conflict, ransacking farms, stealing livestock, and attacking members of the opposing faction. The guerilla warfare that engulfed eastern Kansas resulted in the deaths of 200 people, earning the territory the grim moniker "Bleeding Kansas."
An Appeal to the South: Defending Southern Civilization
In June 1856, the Law and Order League issued an eight-page appeal to Southerners, urging them to support the pro-slavery cause in Kansas Territory through emigration, financial donations, and moral support. The appeal emphasized the perceived threat posed by abolitionists, who sought to undermine slavery throughout the Union. It asserted that Kansas was a crucial outpost in the struggle between Northern and Southern civilizations and that the preservation of slavery in Kansas was essential for defending the institution throughout the nation.
Congressional Stalemate and Continued Strife
As a result of the internal strife in Kansas, Congress refused to adopt either party’s constitution, delaying the territory’s admission to statehood for several years. When the new territorial governor, John Geary, arrived in Kansas, he ordered the disbandment of all state militias on September 12, 1856, in an attempt to restore order.
The English Bill and the Path to Statehood
The battles between the opposing parties continued until the English Bill of 1858 authorized a referendum, dashing pro-slavery hopes of Kansas Territory becoming part of the "South." However, continued struggles delayed the admission of Kansas as a free state until January 1861. In the meantime, the bitterness between the factions persisted, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of the Civil War.
The Pro-Slavery movement in Kansas was a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, shaped by economic interests, political ideologies, and deeply held beliefs about race and freedom. The struggle for control of Kansas serves as a stark reminder of the divisive forces that ultimately led to the Civil War and the enduring legacy of slavery in American history.