At the time, slavery was a major issue that divided the nation. The strong feelings on that one issue allowed a party to emerge an win on that single platform. Northerners felt strongly against slavery and were looking to prove to the southerners that was the direction the US was heading. Republicans promised to outlaw slavery, and the issue was so powerful it allowed the party not only to form but to be voted into power. The issue was so powerful that it dominated the polls and caused many single voter people to flock to the republican party. Other platforms didn't step up and offer slavery solutions and due to their lack of ideas, most faded away.