what occured in the electon of 1848 that showed that slavery had become a national issue
In the election of 1848, the issue of slavery became a national issue with the emergence of the Free Soil Party. This party was formed by anti-slavery Northerners who sought to prevent the spread of slavery into new territories acquired from Mexico in the Mexican-American War. The Free Soil Party nominated former President Martin Van Buren as their presidential candidate, and their platform called for the abolition of slavery in the new territories.
The fact that a new political party had formed specifically to address the issue of slavery and its expansion into new territories highlighted the growing national divide over the issue. While the Free Soil Party did not win the presidency in 1848, their presence and their emphasis on slavery in the campaign demonstrated that the issue had become a central concern in American politics. This set the stage for the increasing tensions and conflicts over slavery that would eventually lead to the Civil War.