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The bill that would become the Kansas-Nebraska Act is printed for the first time.
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Committee of Terrortories chairman Stephen Douglas reports the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
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Kentucky Senator Dixon offers an amendment to the Kansas-Nebraska Act repealing the Missouri Compromise.
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Following a discussion with Franklin Pierce and Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, Douglas releases the Nebraska act with two significant changes: Two terrortories, Kansas and Nebraska will be formed and the Missouri Compromise is superceded and inoperative.
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Salmon Chase and Charles Sumner release the "Appeal of the Independent Democrats in Congress to the People of the United States," attacking the Nebraska Act.
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Steven Douglas resubmits the Nebraska Act as the Kansas-Nebraska Act and extends the law of the United States to the territories.
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Stephen Douglas stands his ground in the Senate as he closes debate on the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Finally, at 5:00 am on the 4th, the Senate passes the bill, 37 to 14
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A group of citizens under led by attorney Alvan E. Bovay met in a schoolhouse in support of the abolition of slavery. They adopted the name "Republicans"
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Emory Washburn signs legislation officially recognizing the Massachusetts Emigrant Aid Company. It was founded by Eli Thayer, Alexander H. Bullock and Edward Everett Hale.
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Invoking seldom-used Clause 119 of the House Rules, Alexander Stephens outwits the opponents of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in the House and passes the bill after an unfavorable return from committee.
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Joint Committee of Congress approves the Kansas-Nebraska Act
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President Franklin Pierce signs the Kansas-Nebraska Act into law.
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Meeting in Jackson, a group of Republicans present the first statewide platform and nominate a slate of candidates
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Franklin Pierce swears Andrew Reeder in as territorial governor of Kansas in Washington, D. C.
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First settlers arrive in Kansas under the New England Emigrant Society charter. They set up tents on the Kansas River.
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The city of Lawrence, Kansas is founded.
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James Buchanan pens the Ostend Manifesto.
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Pro-slavery forces from Missouri cross the Kansas border and elect John Whitfield, a pro-slavery candidate as territorial delegate to Washington. More than 1,700 illegal votes were registered.