"Border Ruffians" were pro-slavery activists from the southern United States who crossed into the territory of Kansas during the mid-1850s. Their goal was to influence the outcome of local elections and ensure that Kansas would enter the Union as a slave state. This period was marked by violence and conflict, known as "Bleeding Kansas," as both pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups clashed. These individuals often resorted to intimidation and illegal voting tactics to achieve their aims. The actions of the Border Ruffians contributed to the growing tensions between the North and South, ultimately playing a significant role in the lead-up to the American Civil War.