Which social movement was a response to the political tensions of the 1850s?

Abolitionism emerged as a significant social movement during the political tensions of the 1850s, which were largely defined by the contentious issues surrounding slavery and the expansion of the United States. This period was marked by conflicts such as the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the debate over whether new territories should permit slavery. The abolitionist movement sought to end slavery entirely in the United States, drawing attention to the moral and ethical implications of the institution. Activists, writers, and organizations advocated for the rights of enslaved individuals, using platforms like speeches, literature, and newspapers to galvanize public opinion against slavery.

The heightened political tensions, including violent confrontations known as "Bleeding Kansas," further spurred the abolitionist movement, as both pro-slavery and anti-slavery advocates fought for influence in the territories. Prominent figures in the abolitionist movement, such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and William Lloyd Garrison, worked tirelessly to expose the injustices of slavery and push for its abolishment. The movement significantly influenced the political landscape of the time, contributing to the creation of the Republican Party and ultimately leading to the Civil War.

In contrast, the suffrage movement focused on women's right to vote, the temperance movement