Curated OER
The People of Kansas: Where did they come from and why did they come?
Students review census data to correlate to emigration in Kansas. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students analyze a painting and create definitions for emigration and discuss why people emigrate. Students read and analyze 1855 census...
Curated OER
Territorial Characters
Eleventh graders study the Kansas Territory. In this American History instructional activity, 11th graders read ten biographical cards and summarize the main ideas. Students create cards to play Who am I?
Curated OER
Dispute Over Slavery in Kansas Territory
Students analyze primary sources on slavery from Kansas Territory. In this Civil War lesson, students evaluate the antislavery and pro-slavery arguments and summarize key points. Students write a persuasive paper from the antislavery...
Nebraska Studies
Nebraska Studies
A large site that tracks the history of the Nebraska area begins with the formation of the earth, moves through the earliest human activity in Nebraska, and then through proto-historical and historical Nebraska. The Kansas-Nebraska Act,...
US National Archives
Our Documents: The Kansas Nebraska Act
An outstanding, interactive copy of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the legislation that repealed the Missouri Compromise. Historical context included, as well as links to larger images, a typed transcript, and a downloadable PDF file.
Kansas Historical Society
Willing to Die for Freedom: Look Back at Kansas Territory
This online exhibit teaches you about "Bleeding Kansas." Follow the hyperlinks to obtain a wealth of information.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: John Brown's Holy War: Pottawatomie Massacre
PBS provides information on John Brown's involvement in the Pottawatomie Massacre and the reasons behind the massacre.
Other
Us Gen Net: American Local History Network: The Struggle for Kansas
A detailed, 5-page article giving an in-depth look at the problems in Kansas after the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
Other
Kansas Cyclopedia of State History: Pottawatomie Massacre
Describes the Pottawatomie Massacre which was John Brown's plan to drive the pro-slavers out of the area. From a 1912 encyclopedia.
Yale University
The Avalon Project: Kansas Nebraska Act 1854
The complete text of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, called an Act to Organize the Territories of Nebraska and Kansas.
University of Michigan
Making of America: Kanzas and Nebraska
This University of Michigan site provides the full text of "Kanzas and Nebraska," written by Edward Everett Hale. The book gives the history, geographical, and physical characteristics of these territories, as well as an account of the...
Other
Office of the Governor, Kansas: Kansas History
This site has a thorough summary of the history of Kansas beginning with the settlement of the area through the 20th century.
University of Oregon
University of Oregon: Mapping History: Kansas Nebraska Act: 1854
Toggle back and forth on this interactive map to see how the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 completely negated the Missouri Compromise. Click on the map to see where slavery was permitted before 1854 and then after. Be sure to click on the...
The History Place
The History Place: The Kansas Nebraska Act
This site from The History Place talks about the Kansas Nebraska Act and the effects caused by its creation. The information is brief but very helpful for the subject.
Kansas Historical Society
Kansapedia: "Bleeding Kansas"
When Kansas became a state it would change the balance of power, so there was fighting between the pro- and anti-slavery groups. This page offers an explanation of that piece of Kansas history, plus letters from two who supported Kansas'...