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Good for a research paper

Tragic Prelude: Bleeding Kansas
Karen Zeinert
Manufacturer: Shoe String Press, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

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ASIN: 0208024468

Book Description

In 1854, the U.S. Congress created Kansas Territory. Whether it would become a slave state, or free, was up to its citizens - so abolitionist Northerners and proslavery Southerners plied their influence on the settlers. Others took the direct route: they rushed into the territory to claim it for their own political side.

So began a conflict which would be called "Bleeding Kansas" for the shocking violence that left over 200 dead as the two sides sparred for control. The cast of characters ranged from Stephen Douglas, the architect of the Kansas-Nebraska Act whose presidential ambitions were veiled; to Missouri "border ruffians," who ducked in and out of the area to pack elections and terrorize Free Staters; to fanatical John Brown, whose strategy in the Pottawatomie Creek massacre called for "making examples" of the proslavery corpses he left behind; to Sheriff Jones, who enjoyed federal backing in the sack of Free-State Lawrence. All manner of politicians promoted or ducked the issues while Kansas bled. The confusion suffered in this sad and violent time by ordinary people is brought home in their diaries and letters, which are woven throughout this book.

What Karen Zeinert makes clear is how significant the undeclared war in Kansas was for this country. The conflict spread far beyond the territory, deepening the division over slavery in America, tearing apart one political party and giving rise to another. The endless struggle of "Bleeding Kansas" was a bell tolling, a dire warning and a foreshadowing of the catastrophe to come when America went to battle against itself in the Civil War.

A Linnet Book. Grades 6-up, xiv, 106 p., illus., timeline, cast of characters, bibliog. Library binding, 0-208-02446-8, $25.00.

Customer Reviews:

Good for a research paper.......2001-10-12

In her latest book Zeinert offers a historical account of the violence of Bleeding Kansas, the unofficial battle over slavery in the territory of Kansas during the 1850's. It begins with the actions of abolitionist John Brown and his May 24 & 25, 1856 attack on pro-slavery settlers as a form of retaliation for the pro-slavery activists raid on Lawrence, KS, which had occurred a mere three days earlier. Thereby ensuing the territorial "reign of terror" for the next two years, pitting neighbor against neighbor. The Jayhawkers (anti-slavery guerrillas) versus pro-slavery supporters. The narrative then backtracks to the 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act, a bill introduced by Illinois Senator Stephen Douglas, which stated both states would be admitted to the Union as free states and settlers could decide amongst themselves if they would allow slavery. The bill along with the electioneering that occurred between the two groups tells the tale of Bleeding Kansas and eventually leads to the start of the Civil War in 1861. Unfortunately Zeinert's narrative is only useful as a resource for a research paper. By lacking a more detailed timeline and additional information on the cast of characters students who usually enjoy reading the subject matter, will doubtfully find it entertaining. Moreover, some students may not know what a Jayhawker or Free Stater is, a glossary would have been helpful when reading. Nevertheless, the oral histories highlighted throughout the text offer an insider's view of the survivor's thoughts, opinions and feelings during this period history.

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Tragic Prelude: Bleeding Kansas
Karen Zeinert
Manufacturer: Shoe String Press, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OOVCFO

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