Final answer:
The election of 1860 acted as a catalyst, not the sole cause, for the Civil War due to pre-existing tensions over slavery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The election of 1860, featuring Abraham Lincoln's victory, is commonly recognized not as the sole cause of the Civil War but rather as a critical trigger for an already imminent conflict. Prior to the election, sectional tensions had been escalating over issues surrounding slavery, state rights, and the distribution of power within the United States.
Abraham Lincoln's election became the final straw for the southern states, which viewed the Republican Party's commitment to preventing the westward expansion of slavery as an existential threat to their social and economic systems. This perception led to the rapid organization of secession conventions and the creation of the Confederate States of America, setting the stage for the onset of the Civil War.
The secession of Southern states was motivated by a deep-rooted desire to preserve a slave-holding society. Despite Lincoln's attempts at conciliation and various compromise proposals, such as Senator Crittenden's, the die was cast.
The commencement of the Civil War ensued following the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, firmly dividing the nation. While Lincoln's election was a key event, it was the culmination of longstanding disputes and a clash of ideologies that led to the four-year struggle that ultimately decided the fate of the Union and the abolition of slavery.
Lincoln's election signified a turning point that pushed Southern states to secede and form the Confederate States of America, leading to war after the attack on Fort Sumter.