What is the significance of Bleeding Kansas?

Bleeding Kansas, during 1855-1858, had a huge impact on
the entire nation. Due to the constant conflicts caused by slavery during this period,
much of the nation was split and pinned against each other. Of course, with the North
wanting slavery abolished and the South wishing to maintain it, there was certainly
tension between the two regions in the United States.

Much
like the Louisiana Purchase, where the North and South argued over whether or not the
new land would adopt slavery, Bleeding Kansas was similar in that the issue was whether
or not to allow slavery in Kansas. This problem between the two was caused by the
Kansas-Nebraska Act that essentially allowed the state of Kansas to decide their own
fate on this issue.

With so much tension already built up
due to slavery, this conflict was yet another add on to the hatred that already existed
with the North and South. Of course, with the Civil War occurring, "Bleeding Kansas" can
certainly be credited, amongst many other factors, as what led up to the beginning of
the war.