Why did democrats and whigs fail on their attempt to keep the issue of slavery in the federal territories from creating a sectional rift

Answer and Explanation:

With regard to support for pro-slavery, many Democrats and Whigs were on par with each other. On the other hand, some Whig leaders practiced anti-party activities, and opposed the Democrats when it came to other types of political interests.

In 1846, a black slave named Dred Scott tried to purchase his freedom when he was fortunate to move into a free territory where slavery wasn't being practiced; however, he was denied freedom. In response, he sought legal recourse, but the Supreme Court-which the majority of Democrat and some Whigs controlled-declared that Scott was not a United States citizen, and that residence in a free territory was not enough to make him a free man.

The decision of the Supreme Court worked to the interests of slaveowners and pro-slave activists in the South. In the other hand, the decision infuriated many Democrats, and influenced them to start supporting the Republican Party who were against the expansion of slavery into new federal territories. This created a sectional rift for the Democrats in the federal territories which were mostly opposed to the slavery the Supreme Court (controlled by Democrats) had ruled in favor of.