Skip to main content

How one piece of legislation divided a nation - Ben Labaree, Jr.

2,869,264 Views

58,183 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

You may think that things are heated in Washington today, but the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 had members of Congress so angry they pulled out their weapons -- and formed the Republican Party. The issues? Slavery and states' rights, which led the divided nation straight into the Civil War. Ben Labaree, Jr. explains how Abraham Lincoln's party emerged amidst the madness.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Ben Labaree, Jr.
  • Animator Qa'ed Mai
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

More from Government: Declassified