Question

Which issue caused a split in the Democratic Party during the election of 1864?

1) George B. McClellan's candidacy
2) Freedom for blacks
3) Lincoln's policy toward dissenters
4) Continuing the war

Answer 1

During the election of 1864, the Democratic Party split over the issue of continuing the war, with the Peace Democrats wanting to end the war and another faction preferring to fight until the Union was fully restored.

Step-by-step explanation:

The issue that caused a split in the Democratic Party during the election of 1864 was the perspective on continuing the war. The Democrats had a significant internal division with one faction, the Peace Democrats, who adopted a platform focusing on ending the Civil War. This platform, denouncing wartime practices such as arbitrary arrests and suppression of freedoms, was seen in the acceptance letter of their nominee, George B. McClellan, who emphasized the preservation of the Union over the continuation of the war. This was at odds with another faction within the party that wanted to continue the war effort until the rebellion was quashed and the Union was restored, even if it meant more combat and casualties.