By the mid-1850s, the whig coalition had fallen apart, and most northern whigs were absorbed into the new which opposed the extension of slavery into new territories.

Republican Party

Explanation:

The republican party formed by Jefferson spilt into two groups by the 1820s, they were the national republican party that later changed their name to the Whig party and they competed for the white house with the democrats in 1840s and 1850s.  

Two party system came into place and the two dominant party tried to avoid discussions around slavery. When the Whig coalition fell apart, the northern members of the group went to join the new Republican Party, and they went around opposing the extension of slavery into new territories at that time.  Their campaign themes and set-up led to the election to Abraham Lincoln, who was the first U.S president to emerge from their party in 1860.  

c. taught scientists many new things about the earth, but not other planets.

explanation: