BLEEDING KANSAS
Bleeding Kansas presents a history of the border war preceding the American Civil War that was waged over whether Kansas would join the Union as a slave state or a free state. This book provides background and context of events that triggered the violence in Kansas, as well as maps, historic documents, timelines, and biographies on the people in involved.
From the start, Kansas was perfectly positioned for violence and mayhem. Smack-dab in the center of the country, white settlers established the Kansas Territory in 1854, and the next few years were marked by fiery battles over whether Kansas would be a free or slave state. This sparked savage border wars between Kansans and Missourians and gave Kansas the nickname “Bloody Kansas.” Anyone interested in Jessie James, a Bushwhacker, and other outlaws from this era, will welcome the true stories in Outlaw Tales of Kansas.
(Fiction)
The Abduction of Jacob Rote is the fictional story of the Rebel raider, William Quantrill, and the young boy he abducted, Jacob Rote. It covers the burning of Lawrence, the murder of Jacob's family and neighbors, and his capture. While in the clutches of Quantrill and his men, Jacob is forced to act as their scout. When he was released, his story became a footnote in the sensational newspaper stories written about Quantrill's raid and its aftermath. This tale is a must read for middle school children so that this dark moment in our history isn't lost forever.
Deadly Days in Kansas documents the wild, early days of Kansas where the state was the scene of some of the most violent incidents in Western history. Author Wayne Lee covers the struggle on how Kansans fought among themselves over the issue of slavery including several incidents of Bleeding Kansas such as the first sacking of Lawrence, the Pottawatomie Massacre, and Quantrill’s Raid.
Thomas Goodrich’s eloquent and moving account of the total destruction Lawrence, Bloody Dawn, describes the events leading to the August, 1863 attack on Lawrence, Kansas by William Quantrill and his Confederate irregulars. This book is well-researched and contains a great deal of previously unpublished material concerning the raid, its military aspects, and the flight of the guerrillas back to Missouri.
With the United States on the verge of civil war, Elijah Tully and his father ride out of Kansas as Jayhawkers, guerrilla fighters against slavery. After his father is killed, Lije goes undercover among the proslavery bushwhackers. Swept into a grisly raid, Lije unexpectedly stands face-to-face with his father's killer -- but is vengeance as simple as he once thought? The author deftly brings in historical figures -- John Brown, Jesse James -- and weaves actual events such as the infamous bushwhacker raid on Lawrence, Kansas, into her tale called Jayhawker.
(Fiction)
It Happened in Kansas goes behind the scenes to tell its story in short episodes that reveal the intriguing people and events that have shaped the Sunflower State. Learn how the destruction of Lawrence in 1856 helped feed John Brown’s thirst for revenge and what led William Quantrill to attack Lawrence in 1863, which killed 158 men.
The Kansas Journey book was written for a seventh grade audience by Jennie Chinn, Kansas Historical Society executive director, is tied directly to Kansas social studies standards. The text provides students with a wide variety of primary source materials which help to develop critical thinking skills. Read chapters 4 and 5 for details on Bleeding Kansas.
(Fiction)
The year is 1848. Firebrand details the fictional story of the Bondi family leaving for a better life in America. But 15-year-old August doesn’t want to go. He’s found his life’s purpose in Vienna, fighting on the barricades against a tyrant king. But in America, August discovers a new cause after confronting the evil of slavery. Though he loves his life of freedom, the young firebrand ultimately heads to Bleeding Kansas and casts his lot with the notorious John Brown.
Bleeding Kansas, Bleeding Missouri was written by 15 scholars, blends political, military, social, and intellectual history to explain why the region's divisiveness was so bitter and persisted for so long. Providing a more nuanced understanding of the conflict, it defines both what united and divided the men and women who lived there and how various political disagreements disintegrated into violence.
CITATIONS
Reece, R. (2012). Bleeding Kansas. Edina, Minnesota: Essential Library (an imprint of ABDO Publishing).
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Lee, W. (1997). Deadly Days in Kansas. Caldwell, Idaho: Caxton Press.
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Smarsh, S. (2010). It Happened in Kansas: Remarkable Events That Shaped History. Guilford, Connecticut: Globe Pequot Press.
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Smarsh, S. (2010). Outlaw Tales of Kansas: True Stories Of The Sunflower State's Most Infamous Crooks, Culprits, And Cutthroats.
Lanham, Maryland: TwoDot Publishers (an imprint of Rowman & Littlefield).
Goodrich, T. (1992). Bloody Dawn: The Story of the Lawrence Massacre. Kent, Ohio: Kent State University Press.
Chinn, J. (2005). The Kansas Journey. Layton, Utah: Gibbs Smith Publisher.
Hassig, R. (2012). The Abduction of Jacob Rote. St. Charles, Missouri: High Hill Press.
Beatty, P. (2013). Jayhawker. Portland, Maine: Crushed Lime Media LLC.
Barnhart, A. (2015). Firebrand. Kansas City, Missouri: Quindaro Press.
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Earle, J.H., & Burke, D.M. (2013). Bleeding Kansas, bleeding Missouri: The long Civil War on the border. Lawrence, KS: University Press.