Abraham lincolns election in 1860 precipitated secession, which led to the civil war. This exciting new book brings to vivid life the cunning and strength of one of americas most intriguing presidents during his journey to the white house. The results of the election, held on november 6, 1860, are most instructive to a student of american electoral democracy. How could lincoln have lost the election the election of 1860 brought a dramatic change to politics. A nation divides on the eve of war presidential politics. Presidential election of 1860 conclusion causes of the. The republican party platform promised not to interfere with slavery in the states, but opposed the further extension of.
The first 7 met at montgomery, alabama in 1861 created confederate states of america. The election of 1860 was pretty much two elections. If lincoln could not calm the post1860 election waters, neither could any other republican politicians. How did the south react to the election of abraham lincoln. Project muse lincoln and the election of 1860 by michael. I think lincolns electionnov 6, 1860 was part of the provocation, perhaps the lesser part. To our friends we would say, as we have everywhere counseled them on the stamp, vote your principles, if possible. Conceding the result to lincoln a month before election day, he began a speaking tour of the south in what amounted to a desperate attempt to preserve the union. Abraham lincoln and the election of 1860 bobblehead george. Lincoln on the verge tells the story of a leader discovering his own strength, improvising brilliantly, and seeing his country up close during these pivotal thirteen days.
In states where absentee voting was not allowed, lincoln appealed to the generals to give their men furloughs so they could return home and vote. This exciting new book brings to vivid life the cunning and strength of one of americas most intriguing presidents during his journey to. In 1860 lincolns triumph was absorbed in one night. South carolina met at charleston and decided to secede.
Had lincoln lost the election of 1860, there most certainly would have been a war, but perhaps it would have come later. What was the south losing in the election of 1860 answers. Jan 31, 2015 abraham lincoln and the election of 1860 bobblehead george. The democrats met in charleston, south carolina, in april 1860 to select their candidate for president in the upcoming election. Abraham lincoln and the election of 1860 abraham lincolns victory in 1860 was probably the most consequential election in american history.
Lincoln, recognizing the benefit of the military vote, supported absentee voting and for the first time in u. The election of lincoln served as the primary catalyst of the american civil war. This use of photography in political campaigns was still unusual at the timemost campaign. The united states presidential election of 1860 was held on tuesday, november 6, 1860. In the 1860 united states presidential election was the 19th quadrennial presidential election. The south was very displeased with the election of abraham lincoln as president of the united states in 1860. His incisive new book demolishes the idea that abraham lincolns victory. Department of the interior lincoln home national historic site 1860 election in the summer of 1860 the eyes of the nation turned to a quaker brown house on the corner of eighth and jackson streets in springfield, illinois. He defeated three other majorparty candidates to lead the country through one of its. Gary hylander, professor at stonehill college in easton, ma gives a presentation about president lincoln and the election.
Abraham lincolns victory in 1860 was probably the most. Lincoln was opposed to the expansion of slavery into new areas, but agreed with nearly all americans, including most radical abolitionists, that the federal government was prevented by the constitution from abolishing slavery in states where it already existed. Homer, the odyssey, book 5, lines 2462502 november 6, 1860. Elmore, alabamas commissioner to south carolina, dec. The election of lincoln helped push the southern states to. From the moment the presidential special left the station, a new lincoln was on display, speaking constantly, from a moving train, to save the republic. The election of president abraham lincoln served as a trigger for the outbreak of the american civil war. After lincolns election seven southern states seceded, setting the stage for the american civil war. Abraham lincoln and the election of 1860 abraham lincolns victory in 1860 was probably the most. Other candidates would have waffled and delayed secession, but the issue of slavery in the territories, nay slavery itself, would have reared its ugly head again. Abraham lincoln was a littleknown illinois legislator when he won election for president 150 years ago. Yet, given the importance of the events that marked his 186165 term of office, the nations admiration for him as a man of courage and principle, and the abundance of photographic images that recorded his presidency, it is hard for most people to think of him as anything else.
The country had already been divided by the northern states and southern states. One of the new titles in southern illinois universitys concise lincoln library series, lincoln and the election of 1860 is a fine work. The election of lincoln served as the primary catalyst of the american civil war the united states had become increasingly divided during the 1850s. How did the south react to the election of abraham lincoln as. When we finished we had a few minutes left so i let the students get a head start on their homework. The sesquicentennial of that event, on november 6, marks a period of commemoration, with a. The civil war at 150 the chronicle of higher education. Successions begannov 10 1860 when south carolina became the first state to leave the union before lincoln even took officemar 4, 1861. As a result, the south no longer felt like it has a voice in politics and a.
The election of 1860 was a crossroad in american history. In a fourway contest, the republican party ticket of abraham lincoln and. Election of 1860 lincoln, the republican candidate, won because the democratic party was split over slavery. Abraham lincoln and the great secession winter 18601861, in which he talks. Lincoln was the first member of the republican party elected to the presidency, a remarkable rise for a political party that had been in existence less than ten years. Abraham lincoln, former representative from illinois vicepresidential. Why did some southern states secede immediately after lincoln. Douglas, and constitutional union candidate john bell. The revolution of 1860 when the election year 1860 started, everyone was bitter with tension after john browns execution. Southerners supported douglas because he supported the expansion of slavery. Abraham lincoln and hannibal hamlin campaign button for the 1860 presidential election containing tintype portraits of the republican party candidates on each side. I trust that i have the courage to lead a forlorn hope.
During the campaign of the 1860 election, south carolina vowed to secede from the union of lincoln was elected president. He lost the election, but gained national recognition. State legislatures made funds for purchasing weapons and. Abraham lincoln and hannibal hamlin campaign button, 1860. Home 2020 election results election info weblog forum wiki search email login site info store note. Lincoln and the election of 1860 concise lincoln library. Detailed nationallevel presidential election results for 1860.
Many yeomen and slaveholders were ready for war against black republican brigands. In may, abraham lincoln had been nominated as the republican candidate for president. Northern democrats felt that stephen douglas had the best chance to defeat the black republicans. In a fourway contest, the republican party ticket of abraham lincoln and hannibal hamlin emerged triumphant. The primary candidates in the north were abraham lincoln and stephen douglas, while in the. After lincoln s election seven southern states seceded, setting the stage for the american civil war. Despite its obvious importance, surprisingly few studies have focused exclusively on this electoral contest itself.
State legislatures made funds for purchasing weapons and some joined military companies. A nation divides on the eve of war presidential politics gunderson, jessica on. Southerners supported douglas because he supported the expansion of slavery west. Many of them were still around during and after the war.
The book speaks solidly of the northern states and the southern states, but not of the border states. Abraham lincoln facts, information and history on the life. The popularity of these debates and of lincolns book propelled honest abe into. The election that led to the civil war us news opinion. Ken walsh is the author of the book celebrity in chief. Although an ardent supporter of slavery, southern democrats considered douglas a traitor because of. Lincoln and the election of 1860 concise lincoln library michael s. Harold holzer talks about his book lincoln presidentelect. Seven southern states seceded from the union immediately after the election of abraham lincoln. Jul 23, 2008 the most consequential elections in history.
The united states had been divided during the 1850s on questions surrounding the expansion of slavery and the rights of slave owners. The first in the adult lecture series at the norfolk public library. Abraham lincoln was elected the 16th president of the united states in the 19th presidential election. The presidential election of 1860 was the final straw for the southerners. Lincoln was a former whig, a member of the house of representatives from 1847 1849 where he opposed the mexican war. On november 6, 1860, voters went to the ballot box to cast their vote for president of the united states. Jul 30, 20 political cartoons from the presidential election of 1860. What are the key points fromt the election of 1860 answers. As a result, the south no longer felt like it has a voice in politics and a number of states seceded from the union. New england immigrant aid society 1854 was created to pay antislave settlers to go into kansas, so when the state voted on whether or not to allow slavery the.
The states that lincoln won are shown in red, breckenridge. Though nobody knew who he was, the plantation owner took him in as a guest. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Why did some southern states secede immediately after. This use of photography in political campaigns was still unusual at the timemost campaign buttons did not include photographic images of the candidates. The militarism of the wide awakes helps explain how the election of lincoln sparked. Harold holzer, winner of the gilder lehrman lincoln prize a richly detailed and colorful narrative, ted widmers book is wonderfully readable, and surely the fullest account yet. In this prolincoln cartoon, honest abe is shown about to consume senator stephen a. Lincolns election was an avowed declaration of war upon the institutions, the rights and the interests of the south. It brought lincoln to power at a time of great national crisis, as the country was coming apart over the issue of slavery. The election of abraham lincoln in november 1860 was perhaps the most significant election in american history. Lincoln and douglas were viewed as contenders for the 1860 presidential election. Lincoln s election was an avowed declaration of war upon the institutions, the rights and the interests of the south. Meet the candidates republican national convention held in chicago, illinois, may 1618, 1860 presidential.
The south was losing the battle over slavery in the election of 1860. Opposed the spread of slavery in any form to the new territories. Lincoln was nominated as the republican candidate for president in the election of 1860. Hannibal hamlin, former governor and current senator from maine. Democrat northern national convention held in charleston, south carolina on april 23, 1860, then again in baltimore, maryland on june 18, 1860.
The election of 1860 was a pivotal year in our history. There were disagreements over whether the territories should be. What were their opinions on president lincolns election. They had their daytoday victories, as do we all, but none ever rose to the national stage with the majestic presence lincoln carried with him. They were convinced lincoln was going to end slavery. Faced with four major candidates, voters in the north and south went to the polls not knowing that the result of the election would culminate in the bloodiest conflict the united states had ever seen. In fact, many southern leaders had warned that if lincoln won, they would push for secession. The primary candidates in the north were abraham lincoln and stephen douglas, while in the south the biggest rivalry was between john c. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. I gave notes on the election of 1860 and we spent time discussing the free soil platform and lincolns goals at the beginning of the civil war.
Project muse lincoln and the election of 1860 by michael s. Though the north had the president, the south still had the supreme court, and republicans didnt control the house or senate. November 5, 1860 some of our friends in marshall county, and from one precinct in brooke county, who were at our office on saturday, apprehend trouble in voting for lincoln and hamlin, as their polls tomorrow. Southerners despised lincoln because they knew that he did not want slavery to expand west. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of abraham lincoln and what it means. Additionally, after the election, lincoln edited the transcriptions and published. Shortly before the election of 1860, a man came upon a plantation near marlin, texas, some 20 miles southeast of waco. Breckinridge better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt abraham lincoln. The 1860 united states presidential election was the 19th quadrennial presidential election. The election of abraham lincoln to the presidency in 1860 is commonly viewed as the beginning of a chain of events that erupted into civil war in april 1861.