the two elections of 1860

The 1860 Presidential Election and Its Impact on American Politics

Overview of the Election

• The 1860 presidential election significantly impacted America, leading to a political crisis.

• The Democratic Party faced a deep division during its convention in Charleston, South Carolina.

Division of the Democratic Party

• Southern Democrats:

  • Demanded:

    • Unlimited extension of slavery.

    • Positive endorsement of slavery.

    • Federal slave code.

    • Federal intervention to protect slave holdings.

• Northern Democrats:

  • Reject the Southern Democrats' demands.

  • Supported the position of popular sovereignty on slavery.

  • Stated that Southern Democrats would receive no votes in the North with such a platform.

Consequences of the Division

• The split led to the emergence of two factions within the Democratic Party:

  • Northern Democrats nominated Stephen Douglas for president.

  • Southern Democrats nominated John C. Breckinridge.

    • Completely aligned with slavery, calling for federal interventions and the annexation of Cuba as a potential slave state.

Formation of New Political Parties

• A third party emerged:

  • The Constitutional Union Party, formed by former Whigs from the Upper South.

  • Nominated John Bell for president, focused on compromise to save the Union.

• The Republican Party met in Chicago and nominated Abraham Lincoln, representing a moderate stance:

  • Promised no interference with existing slavery but opposed its future extension.

  • Advocated for an energetic government and an activist economic program.

Nature of the Election

• The election of 1860 was essentially two separate elections:

  • In the North, it was a battle between Lincoln (Republican) and Douglas (Northern Democrat).

  • In the South, it featured Breckinridge (Southern Democrat) and Bell (Constitutional Union).

• Electoral Breakdown:

  • Lincoln swept the Northern free states, winning the Electoral College despite receiving just under 40% of the popular vote.

    • Douglas had majorities in Missouri and part of New Jersey.

  • Breckinridge dominated the Deep South cotton states, while Bell gained some traction in the Upper South.

  • Total popular votes combined for both Democrats exceeded Lincoln's, illustrating deep sectional divides.

Aftermath and Southern Reaction

• Lincoln’s victory in the Electoral College did not translate to nationwide support:

  • Lincoln was not even on the ballot in some Southern states.

• The South’s refusal to accept the election results stemmed from their loss of political power:

  • Lincoln's election marked a significant shift, with the South no longer holding the balance of power in federal politics.

  • The Southern calculation was based on maintaining presidential power and influence in Congress.

  • Despite having previously secured advantages in key legislative issues, Southern elites felt their dominance was slipping and reacted by rejecting the election outcome.