Aim #37: How do the political platforms of the Election of 1860 compare?
On a separate sheet of paper, write down the aim
please and have out your hw (chart)
Lincoln
scored a
decisive
victory in
electoral
votes
but
he received
less than
40% of the
popular vote
3
√ Abraham Lincoln
Republican
Stephen A. Douglas
Northern Democrat
John Bell
Constitutional Union
1860
Presidenti
al
Election
John C. Breckinridge
Southern Democrat
A non-partisan satire, making fun of all four candidates in the 1860
presidential election. A map of the United States hung on a wall is being torn
apart by three of the candidates. Lincoln (far left) and Douglas tear at the
western part of the country, as Breckinridge (center) attacks the South. The
fourth, John Bell (right), stands on a stool trying to repair the northeastern
5
section with a jar of glue.
(I)ELECTION OF 1860
a. Direct cause of the secession of the southern states and outbreak of the Civil
War
b. Republicans: nominated Lincoln
1. Party platform declared slavery could spread no farther, but would not be
threatened where it already existed
2. Promised tariff for the protection of industry
3. Transcontinental railroad
4. Enactment of law granted free homesteads to settler who would help opening
of the West
c. Democrats
1. Southerners split from the party and nominated VP John Breckenridge of
Kentucky
2. Stephen Douglas nominee of northern Democrats
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d. Constitutional Party: John Bell; no mention of slavery in their platform
(II) Results of Election of 1860
a. Splitting of Democratic party hurt South
b. Lincoln elected with only 40% of the vote (most sectional election in history)
c. Lincoln not allowed on ballot in 10 southern states
d. southern states felt they lost their political clout
1. South Carolina led the way by seceding 1st (December 20, 1860)
Lincoln by Alexander Gardner, 1861
Lincoln by Alexander
Gardner, 1861
Photographer Mathew
Brady captured this
image of the solemn
president-elect on
February 23, 1861, a
few weeks after the
formation of the
Confederacy and
shortly before
Lincoln's inauguration.
(Library of Congress)
Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Lincoln’s Inauguration, March 4, 1861