34th Congress
The 34th Congress of the United States convened from March 4, 1855, to March 3, 1857. It was marked by significant political tensions, particularly surrounding the issues of slavery and territorial expansion. This Congress included the debates over the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed new territories to decide on the legality of slavery, leading to violent conflicts known as "Bleeding Kansas."
During this period, the Democratic Party held a majority, with Franklin Pierce serving as President. The Congress also saw the emergence of the Republican Party, which opposed the expansion of slavery, setting the stage for future political realignments in the United States.