Guerrilla War:

The Guerrilla War broke out in Kansas between pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups. The war continued from 1854-1861. This war is also referred to as a mini civil war.

Kansas Nebraska Act:

This being passed is what fueled the Guerrilla War. It was passed May of 1854, and it allowed slavery to spread into further western territories. Kansas, still believing in popular sovereignty, was going to allow people to vote on whether the state should be pro-slavery, or a free-state once the state received statehood. However, pro-slavery groups did not like this idea. These pro-slavery groups sent people over the Missouri border into Kansas to vote. These groups of people were called Border ruffians.

Conflict continues:

In 1856, the conflicting groups of Kansas decide to create two groups, pro-slavery, and free-state. The pro-slavery claimed Lecompton as their headquarter. The free-state claimed Topeka. However, the pro-slavery group was one for violence, and 800 people from pro-slavery surrounded a state known for free-state beliefs, and destroyed a building.

Congress violence:

On May 21st in the congress building in Washington, violence breaks out between 2 congress members. One being Preston Brooks, a pro-slavery member, and Charles Sumner, an opposing side member. Preston Brooks violently attacks Sumner with a cane repeatedly on the head, causing major brain damage. The free-state group was not going to allow this to happen without some retaliation, so John Brown, a free-state member, musters a group of men together, and heads to a pro-slavery settlement, and starts killing members. This is where John Brown gets the title “Pottawatomie Brown” as Pottawatomie Creek is the settlement where this occurred that night.