Why were many rural American dissatisfied with their political leaders in the late 1800s? What political changes did they propose to address their grievances?

The reason for the dissatisfaction of many rural Americans was the issue with slavery. This group, which were located in the southern states and new settlements out west, depended on agriculture, especially the cotton industry for their subsistence. Many businessmen relied heavily on the use of Slaves.

The Missouri Compromise of 1854, prohibited slavery throughout all of the territories up north of the border of Missouri. However, this agreement was repealed by the "Kansas Nebraska" act during that same year. which allowed the states of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves if whether they would make slavery legal within their borders.