The issue of slavery in the territories came to a head in 1850 when     
 * California applied for statehood.    
 Silver was discovered in Nevada.    
 Arizona applied for statehood.    
 Lewis Cass proposed the principle of popular sovereignty.    
    

Stephen Douglas's action in introducing the Kansas-Nebraska bill in 1854  proved to be a/an    
 * great political miscalculation.    
 step closer to the presidency for him.    
 brilliant political move.    
 insignificant political act.    
    

The appearance of the Know-Nothing Party reflected American     
 tolerance of diversity.    
 * Nativist leanings.    
 acceptance of the market revolution.    
 political apathy.    
    
John Brown's raid shocked the South because     
 * it aroused the South's great fear of a slave rebellion.    
 it was so successful.    
 Brown was tried and hanged; he was recovering from wounds suffered in the raid.    
 so many people died in vain.    
    
The Republicans won the election of 1860 largely because     
 their platform had universal appeal.    
 of Lincoln's popularity in the South.    
 * the Democratic Party split into northern and southern wings.    
 they appealed to the "Common Man."