Question

Some historians argue that american political parties have been strictly practical coalitions, not ideological movements. yet the republican party came into existence primarily to oppose the extension of slavery. what explains the rise of such an ideological single-issue party in the 1850s? why did the other single-issue party of the time—the anti-immigrant know-nothings—eventually fail, while the republicans not only survived but took power in 1860?

Answer 1

At the time, slavery was a major issue that divided the nation. The strong feelings on that one issue allowed a party to emerge an win on that single platform. Northerners felt strongly against slavery and were looking to prove to the southerners that was the direction the US was heading. Republicans promised to outlaw slavery, and the issue was so powerful it allowed the party not only to form but to be voted into power. The issue was so powerful that it dominated the polls and caused many single voter people to flock to the republican party. Other platforms didn't step up and offer slavery solutions and due to their lack of ideas, most faded away.