Parted Parties
Politics became increasingly secular as the issue of slavery repeatedly appeared
in debates. Van Buren led the Free Soil Party developed during the 1840s and
pushed for the enforcement of free territory in the lands acquired in Mexico.
This led to opposition by Calhoun and other democrats. The Whig party heavily
endorsed slavery and often threatened succession if California entered as a free
state. Most elective leaders did not have majority support from all of the
states; most political parties disagreed with a politician simply
over whether they supported the expansion of slavery
in debates. Van Buren led the Free Soil Party developed during the 1840s and
pushed for the enforcement of free territory in the lands acquired in Mexico.
This led to opposition by Calhoun and other democrats. The Whig party heavily
endorsed slavery and often threatened succession if California entered as a free
state. Most elective leaders did not have majority support from all of the
states; most political parties disagreed with a politician simply
over whether they supported the expansion of slavery