Which party was formed by moderate Whigs and Know-Nothings to avert a sectional crisis?

The Constitutional Union Party emerged in 1860 as a response to the growing sectional tensions between the North and the South, particularly over issues such as slavery. Comprised of moderate Whigs and members of the Know-Nothing movement, this party sought to maintain the Union and avoid a civil conflict by focusing on preserving the Constitution and the Union rather than taking a definitive stance on slavery. Their platform emphasized unity and compromise in a time of deepening political divide.

The party's formation was a direct result of the inability of more established parties to address the looming crisis effectively, as both the Democratic and Republican parties were increasingly divided along sectional lines. By advocating for a middle ground and appealing to moderates in both regions, the Constitutional Union Party aimed to bridge the gap and prevent the disintegration of the country, highlighting the significance of this coalition in the pre-Civil War political landscape.