 | The Nebraska-Kansas Act of 1854 Subjects: United States. Kansas-Nebraska Act; Nebraska -- History -- 19th century; Law -- Nebraska -- History -- 19th century; Kansas -- History -- 1854–1861; Law -- Kansas -- History -- 19th century; Sovereignty -- History -- 19th century; Slavery -- Political asp; The Nebraska-Kansas Act of 1854 turns upside down the traditional way of thinking about one of the most important laws ever passed in American history. The act that created Nebraska and Kansas also, in effect, abolished the Missouri Compromise, which had prohibited slavery in the region since 1820. This bow to local control outraged the nation and led to vicious confrontations, including KansasOCOs subsequent mini-civil war. The essays in this volume shift the focus from the violent and influential reaction of OC Bleeding KansasOCO to the role that Nebraska played in this decisive moment." John R. Wunder is a professor of history and journalism at the University of Nebraska--Lincoln. He is the author of numerous books, including "Retained by the People": A History of American Indians and the Bill of Rights , and the coauthor of Americans View Their Dust Bowl Experience . Joann M. Ross has a JD from the University of Nebraska--Lincoln. She is currently a history instructor at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts and is a doctoral candidate in the Department of History at the University of Nebraska--Lincoln. Contributors include: Nicole Etcheson, Tekla Ali Johnson, Mark E. Neely Jr., Phillip S. Paludan, James A. Rawley, Brenden Rensink, Joann M. Ross, Walter C. Rucker, and John R. Wunder. |
