Kansas achieved statehood amid intense and violent political struggles over the issue of slavery, a conflict that came to be referred to as 'Bleeding Kansas'. This period saw anti-slavery settlers, known as Free-Staters, clash with pro-slavery supporters who sought to establish Kansas as a slave state. These confrontations were particularly fierce during the territorial phase of Kansas, where both sides sought to influence the state’s future as they settled and fought for political control. The admission of Kansas as a free state reflected a definitive stand against the expansion of slavery, which had been one of the key issues of contention leading to the American Civil War.

The process leading to Kansas's statehood was marked by significant political maneuvering. Initially, the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 allowed the settlers of Kansas to decide the slavery issue through popular sovereignty. This act led to an influx of both pro and anti-slavery settlers, resulting in violent outbreaks as each side tried to assert control. As the situation escalated, the U.S. Congress recognized the need to resolve the questions surrounding Kansas's statehood, leading to its admission as a free state in 1861. This was formally enacted when President James Buchanan signed the statehood bill into law.

The struggles faced during this period encapsulated the tensions of the broader national conflict regarding slavery. The outcome was not only significant for Kansas but also illustrated the deep divisions in American society that would ultimately culminate in the Civil War. The struggle for Kansas's admission highlighted the complexities of American politics concerning slavery, paving the way for future discussions about civil rights and state sovereignty.