VOA慢速英语 American History Series: The Struggle Over Slavery in the Kansas Territory

　　VOICE TWO:

　　It was clear that there were deep differences between the northern and southern American states. The differences involved their economies, their systems of labor, and their way of life.

　　The civil disorder caused by these differences was the chief issue in the presidential election of eighteen fifty-six. Three political parties offered candidates: the Democrats, the Republicans and the Know-Nothings.

　　The Whig Party did not offer a candidate. The party had gone out of existence by then. Its members had split over the question of slavery in the western territories. The split could not be healed. Most southern Whigs joined the Democratic Party. Most northern Whigs joined the Know-Nothing Party.

　　VOICE ONE:

　　The Know-Nothing Party began as a secret anti-immigrant organization. It feared that too many people from other countries were coming to live in the United States.

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