Final answer:
The term 'Northern Doughfaces' referred to Northern politicians, especially Democrats and Whigs, who compromised their own regional interests to avoid conflict over slavery, seemingly serving Southern slaveholders' interests.
Step-by-step explanation:
Northern Doughfaces was a pejorative term used in the 19th century to describe Northern politicians, particularly from the Democratic and Whig parties, who were perceived to be overly conciliatory to the Southern slaveholding interests. The term highlighted those who appeared to surrender their own regional interests and principles to avoid conflict over slavery, thereby aligning more closely with Southern extremists.
During debates such as those surrounding the Missouri Compromise, numerous Northern Democrats became vulnerable to such criticism. This perceived betrayal was leveraged by opponents to erode Democratic majorities by suggesting these politicians served Southern slave oligarchs better than their Northern constituents. The slur indicated a shameful submission to the South's demands regarding the spread of slavery into new territories and the enforcement of laws like the Fugitive Slave Act.
Similarly, the Whig party also faced dilemmas regarding their stance on slavery. In efforts to maintain party unity and appeal to both Northern and Southern voters, they sought to nominate candidates with moderate views on slavery. For example, in the election of 1852, they selected Winfield Scott in place of other candidates who had voiced strong opinions on the matter. The political dynamics of this era, including the Election of 1860, illustrate the intense regional pressures that shaped the platform and nominee choices of both parties as tensions over slavery escalated towards the American Civil War.