Sound Smart: The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 | History

Get a crash course on the causes and consequences of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 with historian Matthew Pinsker.

Subscribe for more from HISTORY on YouTube:

HISTORY Topical Video
Season 1
Episode 1

Whether you're looking for more on American Revolution battles, WWII generals, architectural wonders, secrets of the ancient world, U.S. presidents, Civil War leaders, famous explorers or the stories behind your favorite holidays, get the best of HISTORY with exclusive videos on our most popular topics.

HISTORY®, now reaching more than 98 million homes, is the leading destination for award-winning original series and specials that connect viewers with history in an informative, immersive, and entertaining manner across all platforms. The network’s all-original programming slate features a roster of hit series, epic miniseries, and scripted event programming. Visit us at HISTORY.com for more info.

[clarabailey]

I have watched this about ten times... still waiting for it to make sense.

[desmondpierce]

00:19 📅 The Kansas-Nebraska Act was introduced in January 1854 by Stephen Douglas.

00:43 🗺 It aimed to organize territories in the Louisiana Purchase area.

01:07 ⚖ Douglas proposed popular sovereignty, allowing residents to decide on slavery.

02:00 🧩 This violated the Missouri Compromise of 1820.

02:33 🎭 The act caused a division within the Democratic Party.

03:08 🐘 Many former Democrats joined the emerging Republican Party.

03:40 🔴 The act contributed to the eventual breakup of the Union.

[lukebambrick]

These videos are SO helpful! Studying for my US History I test right now, and these make it easy. Thank you, History Channel! ;)

[ghostie]

I'm just going to pretend that I understood a word he said

[veryshyguy]

This was so helpful for my assignments

[andrewsullivan]

He was trying to make Chicago the base of the Transcontinental Railroad which would connect the Great Lakes with the West Coast.

[chloequinton]

i feel like this kinda leaves out some important stuff such as the violence and voting fraud after all it was called “bleeding Kansas”

[kevin]

The Kansas Nebraska act screwed both parties, Whig and democrat.

[decqukl]

Can somebody create a summary in the comments so we don’t have to watch the whole video? Thanks

[claudiabentley]

he is wrong it is not known as the bill that broke the democratic party! it was the Whig Party. the Whigs divided into different coalitions like the Anti-Nebraska, Fusion, People's, Independent. Seems like the Anti-Nebraska coalition was the first to use the term. They need to correct this video immediately!

[thanhmansour]

So, the birth of Donald Trump's party can be blamed on Kansans.

[daf]

Bull. The Republican Party was derived from the Christian Conservatives of the old Wig Party.