Eleanor Finch
Between 1855 and 1859, Kansas was the site of a violent guerrilla war between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces, an event known as Bleeding Kansas. This conflict was sparked by the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed for popular sovereignty, whereby the people of Kansas would determine if the territory would be free or enslaved. The pro-slavery constitution in Kansas was called the Lecompton Constitution, drafted in 1857 and endorsed by President James Buchanan. It was approved by a vote of 6,226 to 569 on December 21 but was later rejected by Kansas voters in August 1858. The violence in Kansas deepened the divide between northern and southern Democrats and contributed to the coming of the Civil War.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Lecompton Constitution |
| Date | 1857 |
| Type | Pro-slavery |
| Status | Rejected by Kansas voters in 1858 |
| Effect | Legalized slavery in Kansas, allowed Kansas slaveholders to keep existing slaves |
| Outcome | Contributed to the Civil War |
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What You'll Learn
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854
The Act repealed the Missouri Compromise, which had outlawed slavery above the 36°30' parallel in the Louisiana territories, and allowed for popular sovereignty, where the settlers of the new territories would decide if slavery would be legal there. This contradicted the Missouri Compromise and left the question of slavery open.
The Act aggravated the divide between the North and South on the issue of slavery, and opponents of the Act helped found the Republican Party, which opposed the spread of slavery into the territories. The Act also led to a violent uprising known as "Bleeding Kansas", as pro-slavery and anti-slavery activists rushed to the territories to sway the vote. Hundreds of heavily armed Missourians entered Kansas and voted in the first territorial election, passing draconian pro-slavery laws.
Kansas had two different capitals (pro-slavery Lecompton and anti-slavery Lawrence, then Topeka), two different constitutions (the pro-slavery Lecompton Constitution and the anti-slavery Topeka Constitution), and two different legislatures. The conflict in Kansas was fought politically and between civilians, eventually degenerating into brutal gang violence and paramilitary guerrilla warfare.
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Popular sovereignty
The pro-slavery constitution in Kansas was known as the Lecompton Constitution, drafted in 1857 in the town of Lecompton, Kansas. This constitution was a product of the "Bleeding Kansas" era, a period of violent conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers over whether Kansas would enter the Union as a slave state or a free state. The Lecompton Constitution played a significant role in shaping the debate around popular sovereignty, a concept that would become central to the slavery debate in the United States.
The concept of popular sovereignty was applied in Kansas through a series of steps. First, a territorial government was formed, and then a constitutional convention was held to draft a constitution for the prospective state. This convention resulted in two competing documents: the pro-slavery Lecompton Constitution and the anti-slavery Topeka Constitution. The Lecompton Constitution, drafted by pro-slavery delegates, provided for the protection of slave property rights and allowed for the potential expansion of slavery into new territories.
The Lecompton Constitution was controversial and deeply divisive. While it initially appeared to favor popular sovereignty, it was later revealed that the document had been manipulated by pro-slavery leaders. This constitution was rejected by many Kansans, leading to the drafting of the rival Topeka Constitution in 1859, which explicitly prohibited slavery. The conflict between these two constitutions and their respective supporters reflected the deep divisions within Kansas and the nation as a whole over the issue of slavery.
The controversy surrounding the Lecompton Constitution and popular sovereignty in Kansas had significant repercussions. It contributed to a growing polarization between the North and the South, as the issue of slavery became increasingly difficult to resolve through compromise. The concept of popular sovereignty, though intended to provide a democratic solution, instead highlighted the intractable nature of the slavery debate and the deep-seated ideological differences between Americans. The struggle over Kansas's constitution ultimately played a pivotal role in the national debate on slavery, setting the stage for the eventual outbreak of the Civil War.
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The Missouri Compromise
The repeal of the Missouri Compromise had significant ramifications, as it reopened the national struggle over slavery in the western territories. Kansas became a battleground for pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces, with both sides rushing to stake their claim and influence the decision. This conflict, known as "Bleeding Kansas," resulted in violent guerrilla warfare and deepened the divide between the North and the South, ultimately contributing to the American Civil War.
In conclusion, the Missouri Compromise was a pivotal moment in American history that reflected the country's sectarian divide over slavery. While it temporarily eased tensions between the North and the South, it also set the stage for future conflicts that would ultimately lead to the Civil War. The compromise's repeal and the subsequent struggle over slavery in Kansas highlighted the fragility of the union and the need for a more permanent solution to the issue of slavery.
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The Lecompton Constitution
The territorial legislature, which was dominated by enslavers due to widespread electoral fraud, met in Lecompton in September 1857 to produce a rival document. Free-state supporters boycotted the vote, as they believed that the election was tainted by pro-slavery influences and fraud. The Lecompton Constitution prohibited any amendments for seven years and required governors to be citizens for at least 20 years. It also excluded free black people from the state and protected the rights of slaveholders to their "property", i.e., the slaves they owned. The constitution left it to voters to decide whether new slaves could be brought into the territory.
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The Wakarusa War
The pro-slavery constitution in Kansas was called the Lecompton Constitution. It was drafted in 1857 and endorsed by President James Buchanan.
The murder of Dow by Coleman was the culmination of a long-standing feud between the two men over a land claim near Hickory Point, located about 14 miles south of Lawrence, Kansas. Coleman, a former abolitionist, had become pro-slavery after moving to Kansas. The dispute escalated when Coleman trespassed on Dow's property, and Dow reprimanded him. Coleman eventually shot and killed Dow, sparking outrage among Dow's Free-Stater friends. Coleman claimed self-defense and sought an arrest warrant for Jacob Branson, a Free-Stater who had witnessed the murder. However, Branson was rescued by a posse of Free-Staters, leading to further tensions.
The conflict escalated further when Governor Shannon called out the militia of Kansas, which included ruffians from Missouri, to put down the perceived rebellion at Lawrence, a stronghold of Free-Staters. About 1,500 Missourians rushed to confront Lawrence, while the Free-Staters prepared a defense, appointing Dr. Charles Robinson as their commander-in-chief. Governor Shannon negotiated with both sides and persuaded them to sign a peace treaty, temporarily halting the violence.
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Frequently asked questions
The pro-slavery constitution in Kansas was called the Lecompton Constitution.
The Lecompton Constitution was drafted in 1857 by a constitutional convention in Lecompton, Kansas.
The Lecompton Constitution was initially approved by a vote of 6,226 to 569 on December 21, 1857. However, due to voting irregularities, Congress ordered another election, and in August 1858, Kansas voters rejected the constitution by a significant margin of 11,812 to 1,926.
