Final answer:
The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 prompted the secession of South Carolina and other southern states due to his Republican stance against the expansion of slavery, leading directly to the Civil War. Southern leaders had warned that Lincoln's victory would necessitate secession, and the division in the Democratic Party facilitated his win, further heightening tensions.
Step-by-step explanation:
How the Election of Abraham Lincoln Led to Secession
The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 played a pivotal role in the secession of South Carolina and several other southern states. The Republican party's stance against the expansion of slavery and the perception that Lincoln's presidency would threaten their way of life and institution of slavery prompted a crisis. South Carolina was the first to secede, followed by six other states from the Lower South. These states formed the Confederate States of America, leading directly to the outbreak of the Civil War.
Before the 1860 election, there were warnings from southern leaders that secession would follow Lincoln's victory. The split of the Democratic Party into three factions also weakened their stand, providing an opportunity for Lincoln's election. William Yancey and John J. Crittenden voiced the concerns of many southerners, indicating that secession was seen as the only choice against the Republican triumph.
Ultimately, the election of Abraham Lincoln was a turning point that exacerbated the sectional divide over slavery and prompted the secession of the southern states. This set the stage for the Civil War, which would become a conflict to preserve the Union and abolish slavery in the United States.