Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854

What Happened?

Stephen Douglas suggested that the Nebraska Territory be split up into 2 states; Nebraska and Kansas. And that in those two states, the issue of slavery would be opened up to popular sovereignty.

North

The north wasn't very happy with the fact that people could choose whether or not they were free states or slave states.

South

The South liked that they could choose slavery and jumped at the opportunity to get Kansas on board.