Final answer:
The 1860 presidential election was momentous due to it igniting the Civil War after Abraham Lincoln's victory led to southern states' secession. The Democratic Party, divided over slavery, failed to maintain unity, and Lincoln won with minority popular but majority Electoral College votes. The election underscored deep national divisions and set the stage for profound changes in the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Significance, Issues, and Outcome of the 1860 Presidential Election
The 1860 presidential election was a pivotal moment in American history. As the nation grappled with the issue of slavery, the Democratic Party, one of the last national institutions capable of preserving unity, fractured into three factions. This division, which became evident during their convention in Charleston, South Carolina, led to the three-way split among Stephen Douglas, John Breckinridge, and John Bell. Stephen Douglas was a moderate who supported popular sovereignty, while John Breckinridge backed a pro-slavery stance vehemently. This division allowed the Republican Party, which nominated Abraham Lincoln, to secure a win in the election.
Lincoln's victory was achieved with just under 40 percent of the popular vote but a majority in the Electoral College. His election caused an immediate and profound reaction, particularly in the South, where secessionist sentiment led to South Carolina and six other southern states departing from the Union soon thereafter. In February 1861, these states formed the Confederate States of America, leading directly to the onset of the Civil War. The Lincoln-Douglas debates preceding the election had amplified the national debate over slavery, setting the stage for the turmoil that followed the election results.
The election of 1860 was not only a political contest but also represented the ideological divide in the United States over slavery. It showcased the complications of the American electoral system, the drastic regional splits in politics, and marked the beginning of an epochal conflict that would eventually reshape the nation.