9.6 The Evolution of Political Parties

Multiple Select

In what ways did the issue of slavery in the United States affect political parties in the years before 1860? Select the two that apply.

• The fate of slavery was not an issue in American elections prior to 1860.

• Some smaller parties, such as the Free Soil Party, joined other like-minded groups to form new parties.

• The strain within parties who did not have a firm position on the fate of slavery in America would eventually tear many of those parties apart.