Page "Politics of the United States" Paragraph 49

In the 1850s, the issue of slavery took center stage, with disagreement in particular over the question of whether slavery should be permitted in the country's new territories in the West.

The Whig Party straddled the issue and sank to its death after the overwhelming electoral defeat by Franklin Pierce in the 1852 presidential election.

Ex-Whigs joined the Know Nothings or the newly formed Republican Party.

While the Know Nothing party was short-lived, Republicans would survive the intense politics leading up to the Civil War.

The primary Republican policy was that slavery be excluded from all the territories.

Just six years later, this new party captured the presidency when Abraham Lincoln won the election of 1860.

By then, parties were well established as the country's dominant political organizations, and party allegiance had become an important part of most people's consciousness.

Party loyalty was passed from fathers to sons, and party activities, including spectacular campaign events, complete with uniformed marching groups and torchlight parades, were a part of the social life of many communities.