What was one of the defining characteristics of Bleeding Kansas?

One of the defining characteristics of Bleeding Kansas was indeed a series of violent skirmishes over territorial control. This period, occurring in the mid-1850s, was marked by intense conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups as they raced to influence whether Kansas would enter the Union as a free or slave state. The clashes were fueled by the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which allowed the settlers of Kansas to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery, leading to a chaotic and violent struggle.

The events included ambushes, raids, and confrontations, epitomized by figures such as John Brown, who led anti-slavery fighters, and violent incidents like the Pottawatomie Massacre. These confrontations over political control and social ideologies made Bleeding Kansas a precursor to the Civil War, showcasing the deep divisions in the United States regarding slavery and state rights.