Election of 1860

Definition

The Election of 1860 was a pivotal presidential election in the United States, marked by deep divisions over slavery and sectional tensions. Abraham Lincoln, representing the Republican Party, won the election without carrying a single Southern state, highlighting the growing divide between North and South. This election set the stage for the secession of Southern states and the subsequent formation of the Confederacy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Abraham Lincoln won the presidency with only about 40% of the popular vote, as he was not on the ballot in most Southern states.
2. The election featured four main candidates: Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, John C. Breckinridge, and John Bell, each representing different political factions and regional interests.
3. Lincoln's victory prompted several Southern states to secede from the Union, beginning with South Carolina in December 1860.
4. The election illustrated the collapse of national political parties along sectional lines, as the Democratic Party split into Northern and Southern factions.
5. The outcome set off a chain reaction that led to the formation of the Confederate States of America in early 1861.

Review Questions

• How did the results of the Election of 1860 reflect the growing sectional divisions in the United States?
  • The results of the Election of 1860 clearly illustrated the increasing divide between North and South. Abraham Lincoln's victory, despite not winning any Southern states, signified that Northern voters were largely united against the expansion of slavery. This division among voters demonstrated how sectionalism had escalated to a point where a candidate could win without support from one entire region, ultimately leading to heightened tensions that precipitated secession.
• What impact did Lincoln's election have on Southern states' decisions to secede from the Union?
  • Lincoln's election was viewed by many Southern leaders as a direct threat to their way of life and institution of slavery. His commitment to halting slavery's expansion raised fears that it would eventually be abolished entirely. As a result, this perceived existential threat drove Southern states to secede from the Union, beginning with South Carolina shortly after his election victory, which marked a significant turning point in American history leading toward civil conflict.
• Evaluate how the Election of 1860 served as a catalyst for major changes in American political structures and social dynamics leading up to the Civil War.
  • The Election of 1860 acted as a catalyst for profound changes in American politics and society by highlighting and exacerbating existing tensions regarding slavery. The fragmentation of political parties along sectional lines created an environment where compromise became increasingly difficult. Additionally, Lincoln’s victory led to a seismic shift as Southern states felt compelled to assert their autonomy through secession, ultimately transforming the national landscape into one dominated by conflict and setting the stage for the Civil War. This election not only reshaped political alliances but also fundamentally altered perceptions of citizenship, rights, and governance in America.

Related terms

Abraham Lincoln:

The 16th President of the United States who led the nation during the Civil War and worked to end slavery.

Secession: The action of withdrawing formally from membership in a federation or body, particularly the withdrawal of Southern states from the Union after Lincoln's election.

Republican Party:

A political party formed in the 1850s, primarily to oppose the expansion of slavery into the territories, which became a significant force in American politics leading up to the Civil War.