Political cartoon concerning the Lecompton Constitution
In response to conflicts between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces in Bleeding Kansas, President Buchanan urged the Kansas territory to apply for statehood. In response to Buchanan's request, pro-slavery officials organized an election for delegates to participate in a constitutional convention. However, anti-slavery advocates refused to participate, claiming the election was rigged. Because the ant-slavery supporters didn't participate in the convention, the constitution drafted in the town of Lecompton (after which the constitution is named) legalized slavery. After the constitution was established, each side held a vote on the new constitution. President Buchanan accepted the pro-slavery vote and requested that Congress admit Kansas as a slave state. After extreme political debate, a deal was eventually made to have a second popular vote in Kansas, which ruled in the favor of the pro-slavery supporters. After several years of delay, Kansas finally became a state in 1861.
The Lecompton Constitution demonstrated the continued divide that was slowly pulling the United States apart at the Northern-Southern seam. It caused troubles in the state of Kansas as well in the political battleground in Washington D.C.
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