The Election of 1860Secessionitis

Focus Question

Explain whether you should support a candidate from your party whom you disagree with.

Election of 1860

Events of the 1850s led the nation on the Road to Disunion Compromise of 1850 Fugitive Slave Act/Personal Liberty Laws Kansas-Nebraska Act Dred Scott Decision John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry

What next?

Election of 1860

Nation was at a tipping point Democratic Party split▪ Stephen Douglas lost Southern support▪ Could not make a nomination at their

convention Republicans nominate Lincoln in a compromise

Political Circus

Four Way Race

Northern Democrats nominated Douglas (IL)

Southern Democrats nominated John C. Breckinridge (KY), Vice

President Republicans nominated Lincoln (IL) Border state Whigs formed a new

party, nominated John Bell of Tennessee

The Slavery Issue

The Key Differences were about slavery: Stephen Douglas – Popular Sovereignty John C. Breckinridge – Protect Slavery Abraham Lincoln – Prevent the spread of

Slavery John Bell – Preserve the Union

Results

Electorate SplitPARTY CANDIDATE POPULAR

VOTEELECTORAL VOTE

REPUBLICAN ABRAHAM LINCOLN

1,876,000(39.8%)

180

NORTHERN DEMOCRAT

STEPHEN DOUGLAS

1,375,000(29.5%)

12

SOUTHERN DEMOCRAT

JOHN BRECKINRIDGE

848,000(18.1%)

72

CONSTITUTIONAL UNION

JOHN BELL 590,000(12.6%)

39

Summary

In a short, 2-3 sentence response, describe the debate during the election of 1860.