What led to violence in kansas in 1855?

Answer 1

That was the attempt to allow the people of a new state to vote whether to be slave or free. ('Popular Sovrereignty')

It was proposed by Stephen Douglas, who beat Lincoln to the Senatorial post in Illinois.

Answer 2

The principle of letting the people of each new state vote on whether it would be slave or free.

It was a temptation for every bully-boy in America (from both sides) to cross into the thinly-populated territory of Kansas and intimidate the locals. The ensuing violence was dubbed 'Bleeding Kansas', and it seemed to demonstrate that the slavery issue would never be resolved, except through combat.

Some actually say that these were the first shots of the Civil War.

Answer 3

The rivalry between proslavery and antislavery settlers?

Answer 4

A proslavery mob attacked the town of Lawrencce, Kansas.

Answer 5

Indian uprising, drunken cowboys, and train and stagecoach robbers all caused violence in the Kansas Territory. Kansas City was a major train depot for the cattle industry.