What effect did the issue of slavery have on politics in the 1850s?

Question

It pitted the Whigs and Democrats against each other.

It led to the end of the Whig Party but united the Democratic Party.

It created divisions that ended the Whig Party and split the Democratic Party.

Answer 1

The issue of slavery in the 1850s significantly impacted American politics, leading to the end of the Whig Party and creating divisions within the Democratic Party.

1. End of the Whig Party: The Whig Party was deeply divided over the issue of slavery, especially with events like the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which allowed for the possibility of slavery in new territories. This act sparked outrage in the North and led to the collapse of the Whig Party, as many Northern Whigs opposed the expansion of slavery.

2. Divisions in the Democratic Party: While the Democratic Party initially appeared more united, it also experienced significant internal divisions. Southern Democrats largely supported slavery, while many Northern Democrats were increasingly uncomfortable with the party's stance on the matter. This division ultimately contributed to the larger fractures in American politics leading up to the Civil War.

Thus, the correct summary is that the issue of slavery in the 1850s created divisions that ended the Whig Party and contributed to splits within the Democratic Party.