Final answer:
The Kansas-Nebraska Act, proposed by Stephen Douglas, received support mainly from southern states because it opened new territories for the potential expansion of slavery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Kansas-Nebraska Act was a significant piece of legislation proposed by Stephen Douglas in 1854. It received strong support primarily from southern states as it allowed for the possibility of slavery in the new territories of Kansas and Nebraska through the principle of popular sovereignty. This act effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise line and was a key factor in aggravating sectional tensions that led to the American Civil War. Opposition mobilized quickly, particularly in the northern states, where the Act sparked protests and contributed to the formation of the Republican Party.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, spearheaded by Stephen Douglas, held pivotal implications for the prelude to the American Civil War. Its core principle of popular sovereignty, granting territories like Kansas and Nebraska the ability to determine their stance on slavery, garnered significant support from southern states. This act's unsettling impact arose from its repeal of the Missouri Compromise line, heightening sectional tensions. Strong opposition swiftly emerged, particularly in northern states where the act ignited protests.
The vehement response in the North played a substantial role in the formation of the Republican Party, reflecting a growing anti-slavery sentiment. The Kansas-Nebraska Act, while intending to address territorial organization, ultimately deepened the schisms between North and South, contributing significantly to the complex web of events that eventually culminated in the eruption of the American Civil War.