<span>he Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed each territory to decide the issue of slavery on the basis of popular sovereignty. Kansas with slavery would violate the Missouri Compromise, which had kept the Union from falling apart for the last thirty-four years. The long-standing compromise would have to be repealed. Opposition was intense, but ultimately the bill passed in May of 1854. Territory north of the sacred 36°30' line was now open to popular sovereignty. The North was outraged.The political effects of Douglas' bill were enormous. Passage of the bill irrevocably split the Whig Party, one of the two major political parties in the country at the time. Every northern Whig had opposed the bill; almost every southern Whig voted for it. With the emotional issue of slavery involved, there was no way a common ground could be found. Most of the southern Whigs soon were swept into the Democratic Party. Northern Whigs reorganized themselves with other non-slavery interests to become the REPUBLICAN PARTY, the party of Abraham Lincoln. This left the Democratic Party as the sole remaining institution that crossed sectional lines. Animosity between the North and South was again on the rise. The North felt that if the Compromise of 1820 was ignored, the Compromise of 1850 could be ignored as well. Violations of the hated Fugitive Slave Law increased. Trouble was indeed back with a vengeance.</span>
1. Ethnicity--colonies were broken into countries with no regard to ethnic groups. These groups differed before colonization and differed more during the colonial period. Many ethnic conflicts have occurred since, some resulting in genocide.
2. It is a more common language--the colonies were taught the colonial language and trade often continued with the European country that was once their ruler. Maintaining that language for trade eased the transition and makes trade more accessible.
3. Indigenous religions--these original religions still exist but differ greatly from one another. These religions were based in the tribes and colonies were a blend of many tribes. The European religions were often more consistent.
They had to limit their army severely and pay heavy reparations which crippled the nation.
