30 MAR--This Day in US Military History

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 10:56:14 -0400

1855 – In territorial Kansas’ first election, some 5,000 so-called “Border Ruffians” invade the territory from western Missouri and force the election of a pro-slavery legislature.

Although the number of votes cast exceeded the number of eligible voters in the territory, Kansas Governor Andrew Reeder reluctantly approved the election to prevent further bloodshed.
Trouble in territorial Kansas began with the signing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act by President Franklin Pierce in 1854. The act stipulated that settlers in the newly created territories of Nebraska and Kansas would decide by popular vote whether their territory would be free or slave. A few months after pro-slavery forces defrauded Kansas’ first election, the Kansas Free State forces were formed, armed by supporters in the North and featuring the leadership of militant abolitionist John Brown.
In May 1856, Border Ruffians sacked the abolitionist town of Lawrence, and in retaliation a small Free State force under John Brown massacred five pro-slavery Kansans along the Pottawatomie Creek. During the next four years, raids, skirmishes, and massacres continued in “Bleeding Kansas,” as it became popularly known.
In 1861, the irrepressible differences in Kansas were swallowed up by the outbreak of full-scale civil war in America.

https://thisdayinusmilhist.wordpress.com/2014/03/30/march-30/

March 30

30 March 1769 - Following the example of the Philadelphia merchants, Baltimore merchants join the non-importation movement by banning the purchase of English goods until the repeal of the Townshend...

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Mar 30 at 2015 12:57 PM

SSG Gerhard S. — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 12:57:34 -0400

MSG Private RallyPoint Member Thank you for posting these so regularly! I learn something from them every day. Sometimes I even learn something I thought I already knew.... but didn't.

Response by MSgt Robert Pellam made Mar 30 at 2015 9:38 PM

MSgt Robert Pellam — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 21:38:10 -0400

Outstanding sir. I always love this part of History as many say these scuffles between abolitionists and the Pro-slavery supporters was the actual start of the Civil war. I contend that the bad blood went back further to President Andrew Jackson and John C Calhoun. And the Enforcement of the Force Bill during the Nullification Crisis of 1833. Either way, I think we were on our way to Civil war though.