What were kansas and Missouri during the civil war?

During the Civil War, Kansas and Missouri were pivotal border states that experienced significant conflict due to their contrasting stances on slavery. Kansas, which had entered the Union as a free state in 1861, was a focal point for abolitionist movements, while Missouri, a slave state, had divided loyalties and saw internal strife between pro-Union and pro-Confederate factions. This rivalry led to violent confrontations, notably the "Bleeding Kansas" conflict prior to the war and continued skirmishes during the war itself, significantly impacting the region's social and political landscape.