The Election of 1860

In 1860, the United States held a presidential election during a period of deep political tension. The issue of slavery, particularly its spread into western territories, sparked debates all over the country. Political parties struggled to stay united, and voters were presented with four major candidates.

The Republican Party nominated Abraham Lincoln at its convention in Chicago. Lincoln served in the Illinois legislature and had one term in Congress. He gained fame from the Lincoln-Douglas Debates in 1858. At the convention, Republicans also considered leaders such as William H. Seward of New York. Some party members thought Seward was too tied to radical antislavery views. In contrast, Lincoln was seen as someone who could win over voters in northern and western states.

Lincoln’s position on slavery was often debated during the campaign. He opposed the spread of slavery into new territories, but he did not call for ending slavery where it already existed. Lincoln stated that he did not intend to interfere with slavery in the Southern states. The Republican platform showed this stance by opposing expansion. It also rejected violent actions, like John Brown’s raid at Harpers Ferry.

The Democratic Party entered the election divided. Northern Democrats backed Stephen A. Douglas, who supported popular sovereignty. Southern Democrats backed John C. Breckinridge. He wanted stronger protections for slavery. John Bell, the fourth candidate from the Constitutional Union Party, aimed to preserve the Union. He did not take a strong stance on slavery.

Lincoln did not campaign in person, which was common at the time. His name did not appear on the ballot in most Southern states, and he won all of his electoral votes from free states. He won the presidency with a majority of the electoral votes, though less than half of the popular vote. The election revealed extreme differences in how Americans viewed the nation’s future.