Which territory erupted in violence during the time period just before the Civil War started?A.NebraskaB.New MexicoC.KansasD.Utah

The territory that erupted in violence just before the Civil War started was C. Kansas. This period of violence is commonly referred to as "Bleeding Kansas."

Explanation

Bleeding Kansas occurred in the mid-1850s, stemming from the debate over the legality of slavery in the proposed state of Kansas. The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 allowed the residents of these territories to decide for themselves whether or not to allow slavery through the principle of popular sovereignty. This led to conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers, as both groups sought to influence whether Kansas would enter the Union as a free or a slave state.

Violent clashes erupted between the two factions, resulting in a significant number of casualties. The struggle for control over the territory was marked by brutal raids and confrontations, highlighting the deep national divisions over slavery. Bleeding Kansas served as a precursor to the larger conflicts that would arise during the Civil War, illustrating how regional tensions could lead to violent confrontations long before the war officially began.