Question

Describe the election of 1860 and how Lincoln was able to win the presidency even though he only won 39% of the popular vote.

Answer 1

Abraham Lincoln won the 1860 presidential election by securing a majority in the Electoral College, despite receiving only 39% of the popular vote, because the Democratic Party was split among several candidates.

Step-by-step explanation:

The election of 1860 is one of the most significant events in American history because it led to the presidency of Abraham Lincoln and set the stage for the Civil War. Despite winning only 39% of the popular vote, Lincoln secured the presidency by taking advantage of the split within the Democratic Party. His main opponents were John C. Breckinridge, representing Southern Democrats who were pro-slavery, and Stephen A. Douglas, representing Northern Democrats who had a more moderate stance on the issue of slavery. Another candidate, John Bell, represented the Constitutional Union party, further splitting the vote.

Lincoln's strategy was successful in part because he won every northern state except New Jersey, where he split the vote with Douglas. Even with his name blocked from the ballot in many southern states, Lincoln's Republican victory was secured by winning a majority of Electoral College votes. The split within his opposition made it so that none of his rivals could individually gain enough electoral support to defeat him, with Breckinridge coming closest with 72 electoral votes to Lincoln's 180 electoral votes.

The 1860 election highlighted the deep division within the country over slavery and foreshadowed the conflict that would erupt following Lincoln's election. His presidency and the subsequent Civil War shaped the future of the United States in profound ways.

Answer 2

The election of 1860 was a pivotal moment in American history, marked by deep divisions in the country over issues such as slavery and states' rights. Abraham Lincoln, the Republican candidate, was able to secure victory in this election despite winning only 39% of the popular vote due to a unique set of circumstances.

Here's an overview of the election and how Lincoln emerged as the winner:

1. **Factionalism within Political Parties:** The Democratic Party, which had been the dominant party, split into Northern and Southern factions over the issue of slavery. The Southern Democrats nominated John C. Breckinridge, while the Northern Democrats chose Stephen A. Douglas. This division among Democrats weakened their overall support.

2. **Emergence of the Republican Party:** The newly formed Republican Party was united in its opposition to the expansion of slavery into the western territories. Abraham Lincoln, representing the Republican Party, became a compromise candidate who was acceptable to a broad range of anti-slavery voters.

3. **The Split in the Electoral College:** The division of the Democratic vote between Breckinridge and Douglas, along with the presence of other third-party candidates, contributed to Lincoln's advantage in the electoral college. Lincoln won 180 electoral votes, a majority, even though he did not win the popular vote.

4. **Regional Support:** Lincoln's support was concentrated in the North, where he won a majority of the electoral votes. He won states like Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, while the Southern states largely voted for Breckinridge or other pro-slavery candidates.

5. **Southern Secession:** Lincoln's victory in the election prompted the Southern states to begin seceding from the Union, as they believed that his presidency posed a threat to their perceived rights to maintain slavery. This ultimately led to the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861.

In summary, the election of 1860 was characterized by a divided nation, with regional and ideological differences playing a significant role. Lincoln's victory was achieved through a combination of factors, including the split in the Democratic Party, his broad appeal as a compromise candidate, and his concentrated support in the North. While Lincoln won the electoral college decisively, his relatively low percentage of the popular vote reflected the deeply polarized nature of American politics at the time. His election marked the beginning of a tumultuous period in American history, ultimately leading to the Civil War.