Anti-Nebraska Party
Encyclopedia
The Anti-Nebraska Party was an American
political party
formed in response to the Kansas-Nebraska Act
of 1854. Its founders, including Salmon P. Chase
, held deep moral opposition to slavery
, and were thus appalled by legislation that could lead to more slave-holding states. The Anti-Nebraska Party was created wholly to oppose slavery; it eventually morphed into the Republican Party
.
This party was, in essence, an offshoot of the Know-Nothing party. Once the core reason for the Know Nothing party, anti-immigrant reform, had lost favor in the public eye its leader changed the message of the party. In almost every area in which the Know Nothings were powerful the Anti-Nebraska party carried in subsequent elections.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
formed in response to the Kansas-Nebraska Act
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854 created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, opening new lands for settlement, and had the effect of repealing the Missouri Compromise of 1820 by allowing settlers in those territories to determine through Popular Sovereignty if they would allow slavery within...
of 1854. Its founders, including Salmon P. Chase
Salmon P. Chase
Salmon Portland Chase was an American politician and jurist who served as U.S. Senator from Ohio and the 23rd Governor of Ohio; as U.S. Treasury Secretary under President Abraham Lincoln; and as the sixth Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.Chase was one of the most prominent members...
, held deep moral opposition to slavery
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
, and were thus appalled by legislation that could lead to more slave-holding states. The Anti-Nebraska Party was created wholly to oppose slavery; it eventually morphed into the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
.
This party was, in essence, an offshoot of the Know-Nothing party. Once the core reason for the Know Nothing party, anti-immigrant reform, had lost favor in the public eye its leader changed the message of the party. In almost every area in which the Know Nothings were powerful the Anti-Nebraska party carried in subsequent elections.