The events of "bleeding Kansas" most strongly support which of the following conclusions about American identity prior to the civil war? a. the threat of violence and instability in the west contributed to a shared identity for both northerners and southerners in the east
b. both northerners and southerners were violently committed to expanding their preferred ideals about American identity
c. crises in western territories were largely ignored as northerners and southerners argued over issues of American identity
d. an ideological commitment to popular sovereignty helped maintain a unified american identity despite disputes over slavery.