What destroyed the second American party system?

Answer 1

The second American party system, primarily characterized by the rivalry between the Democrats and Whigs, was destroyed by increasing sectional tensions over slavery. The emergence of new political movements, such as the Free Soil Party and the Republican Party, further fragmented the political landscape. The debate over the expansion of slavery into new territories, exemplified by events like the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the Dred Scott decision, intensified divisions, ultimately leading to the Civil War. This upheaval rendered the existing party alignments obsolete, paving the way for a realignment in American politics.