A House Divided: The Election of 1860
The final trigger event leading to secession was the election of 1860. The election of Republican Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States on November 6, 1860, was made possible by a splintered Democratic Party. Northern Democrats nominated Stephen A. Douglas while Southern Democrats nominated John C. Breckenridge, while a third party, the Constitutional Union party, nominated John Bell, to further split the vote. Lincoln won despite receiving less than 40% of the vote while winning eighteen of thirty-three states and 180 of the 303 electoral votes.
His election sparked sparked a wave of secession throughout the Deep South.
His election sparked sparked a wave of secession throughout the Deep South.
* * * Discussion Questions * * *
1. What were the major provisions in the republican platform?
2. Identify each candidate by the official stance towards the issue of slavery.
2. Identify each candidate by the official stance towards the issue of slavery.
Primary Sources
Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln battle on their way to the White House.
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Three candidates in the election of 1860 (left to right) Republican Abraham Lincoln, Democrat Stephen A. Douglas, and Southern Democrat John C. Breckinridge are ripping the country apart, while the Constitutional Union candidate John Bell vainly attempts to preserve the Union by applying glue.
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