"That the Constitution, and all laws of the United States which are not locally inapplicable, shall have the same force and effect within the said Territory of Nebraska as elsewhere... it being the true intent and meaning of this act not to legislate slavery into any Territory or State, nor to exclude it therefrom, but to leave the people thereof perfectly free to form and regulate their domestic institutions in their own way." — Kansas-Nebraska Act, May 30, 1854
The political fallout from this legislation contributed most directly to which long-term development?
- A
The strengthening of the Federalist Party in the North
- Bcheck_circle
The collapse of the Whig Party and rise of the Republican Party
- C
The emergence of the Democratic-Republican coalition
- D
The formation of the Know-Nothing Party as the dominant force in Congress
Explanation
Anti-Nebraska coalitions of Free-Soilers, conscience Whigs, and antislavery Democrats fused into the Republican Party in 1854-1856. The Whigs disintegrated; Federalists were long defunct; Know-Nothings fragmented over slavery.