Black Jack Battlefield Historic Landmark Nomination
Gronlund J, Fowler A, Knott L, Benton P. 2012. Black Jack Battlefield Historic Landmark Nomination. National Historic Landmark Nominations. 04000365_NHL. National Park Service. Washington, DC
This document is the National Historic Landmark (NHL) nomination for Black Jack Battlefield in Baldwin City, Douglas County, Kansas. The NHL nomination for the Black Jack Battlefield documents its national significance under NHL Criteria 1 and 2. In June 1856, the Battle of Black Jack was the first armed conflict between pro- and anti-slavery forces in the United States. It vividly reflected growing national friction over slavery and clearly marked a turning point in the march toward the Civil War. Events here gripped the imaginations and emotions of the nation and the world; and more importantly, further divided the nation’s already-polarized abolitionist and pro-slavery factions. As politicians, newspapers, and citizens watched the story of “Bleeding Kansas” unfold, hints of a larger and potentially violent conflict to come became increasingly evident. Black Jack also introduced the nation to nationally significant abolitionist John Brown who called for armed insurrection to end slavery. The period of national significance is 1856.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Gronlund, Julie; Fowler, Adriane; Knott, Laura; Benton, Peter
- Date of Issue
- 2012-10-16
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Keywords
- Baldwin City, Bleeding Kansas, Douglas County, John Brown, Kansas, National Historic Landmark