The Election of 1860 stands as one of the most significant presidential contests in American history. As the nation teetered on the brink of civil war, four distinct candidates vied for the presidency. The Republicans nominated one of the most iconic figures in American history: “Honest” Abraham Lincoln.
A Divided Nation
Throughout the 1850s, the United States grappled with intense strife over slavery. Key events, such as the brutal caning of Charles Sumner by Senator Preston Brooks, the violence of ‘Bleeding Kansas,’ and the 1859 raid and hanging of abolitionist John Brown, deepened the nation’s divisions. One of the most telling moments came with the Supreme Court’s decision in the Dred Scott case. In March 1857, seven out of nine justices ruled that Scott, an African American slave, remained a slave even in free states, fuelling tensions and igniting protests against the rising ‘Slave Power.’ By the time of the 1860 presidential election, the nation’s fate was indeed at stake.
Issues Within the Democratic Party
James Buchanan’s presidency failed to unify the country, leading the Democratic Party into disarray. At their convention, pro-slavery Democrats, known as ‘Fire-Eaters,’ walked out in protest and nominated their own candidates. The remaining Democrats, after numerous ballots, chose Stephen A. Douglas, the Illinois Senator known for the Kansas-Nebraska Act and “Popular Sovereignty.” His running mate was initially Benjamin Fitzpatrick, who declined, leading to the selection of former Georgia Governor Herschel V. Johnson. This faction became known as the “Northern Democratic Party.”
The pro-slavery faction, later called the “Southern Democratic Party,” nominated Buchanan’s Vice President, John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky, with Senator Joseph Lane of Oregon as his running mate.
Honest Abe
On the Republican side, the party was determined to capitalize on the Democratic schism. The nomination race was competitive, featuring:
- Salmon P. Chase, former Governor of Ohio
- William L. Marcy, former Senator of New Jersey
- John McLean, Associate Supreme Court Justice
- Edward Bates, former Representative from Missouri
- William H. Seward, Senator of New York
- Abraham Lincoln, former Representative of Illinois
Lincoln, a self-taught lawyer and moderate on slavery, gained national attention after his debates with Stephen Douglas in 1858. His speech to Republican leaders in New York City bolstered his candidacy. Although Lincoln’s campaign engaged in political maneuvering, including using counterfeit tickets to sway convention outcomes, he secured the nomination with Hannibal Hamlin, a Senator from Maine, as his running mate.
The Constitutional Union Party
Amid the Democratic Party’s fracture and Republican opposition to slavery, many sought a unifying alternative. The Constitutional Union Party emerged, advocating for national unity with the slogan: “The Union as it is, and the Constitution as it is.” They nominated former Tennessee Senator John Bell with Edward Everett, former Senator from Massachusetts, as his running mate.
Arming for War
Despite the Republicans’ assurances not to abolish slavery, many Southerners remained unconvinced. Lincoln’s name was often excluded from Southern ballots, and where he was listed, he garnered less than 1% of the vote. This led many Southern states to threaten secession. Stephen Douglas attempted to dissuade Southern states from breaking away, but his efforts were in vain.
The 1860 election also saw Oregon and Minnesota join the Union, and voter turnout reached a historic 81%.
The Results
The election results illustrated the sectional nature of American politics:
- Abraham Lincoln won with 180 electoral votes and 39.8% of the popular vote, securing victory by winning Northern states.
- John C. Breckinridge came in second with 72 electoral votes and 18.1% of the popular vote.
- John Bell received 39 electoral votes and 12.6% of the popular vote.
- Stephen A. Douglas garnered 12 electoral votes and 29.5% of the popular vote, winning Missouri and a few votes in New Jersey.
Lincoln’s victory, without a majority of the popular vote, led to heightened tensions, and the Southern states’ threat of secession became a reality.
The Civil War Begins
Following Lincoln’s election, seven Southern states seceded from the Union, forming the Confederate States of America with Jefferson Davis as president. Lincoln’s refusal to recognize the Confederacy and his inaugural call for unity went unheeded. The Civil War commenced in April 1861 with the Battle of Fort Sumter, marking the beginning of a tumultuous era in American history. And so, Abraham Lincoln became the 16th president of the United States, facing the monumental task of leading the country through one of its darkest periods.
