Final answer:
The Republican Party, formed in the mid-19th century, was a coalition that primarily included free-soilers and know-nothings, emphasizing the 'free labor' ideology and opposing the expansion of slavery as well as showing anti-immigrant tendencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which combination of groups the Republican Party reflected. The correct answer is that the Republican Party reflected a combination of free-soilers and know-nothings. This is because the party was formed with the aim of opposing the expansion of slavery into new territories, aligning with the Free Soil ideology, and it also absorbed members from the Know-Nothing movement, which was known for its anti-immigrant sentiments, as the Republicans sought to appeal to nativists.
The Republican Party's core ideology was based on the concept of 'free labor,' believing that slavery was morally unjust and socially destructive as it undermined economic independence and social mobility. During its formative years after the 1854 elections, the party worked to create a political identity that combined various factions including disgruntled Democrats, disenchanted Whigs, and those opposed to the influence of immigrants.