Final answer:
The election of 1852 was influenced by the debate over the extension of slavery and the discovery of gold in California.
Step-by-step explanation:
The outcome of the election of 1852 was influenced by several issues, with the main one being the ongoing debate over the extension of slavery in the territories. The Democratic Party promoted popular sovereignty, which allowed each territory to decide whether or not to allow slavery. The Whigs, on the other hand, did not have a unified position on slavery and ran different campaigns in the North and the South. Additionally, the discovery of gold in California and the resulting population growth also played a role in shaping the outcome of the election.