The political creation of Illinois senator Stephen Douglas, this piece of legislation opened a hailstorm of political controversy on Capitol Hill when introduced. The bill organized
two territories in the formerly unorganized Louisiana Purchase for the construction of
the central and northern routes of the transcontinental railroad. The southern
congressional delegations insisted the bill include removal of 36'30" line of the 1820
Compromise before guaranteeing their endorsement and support. Passed by Congress
in 1854, the act destroyed the Whig party, invigorated the know-Nothing party, and gave
rise to the Republican Party. Events of the next six years provided the prelude for the
American Civil War.