Abraham Lincoln’s Election

Facts, information and articles about Abraham Lincoln’s Election in 1860, one of the causes of the civil war

The year 1860 marks a very pivotal time for the United States, namely the election of President Abraham Lincoln. This marked election is often thought of the first event in a series that turned into the civil war that started April of 1861. The first president from The Republican Party, (only in existence for fewer than 10 years at the time) Lincoln was responsible for many large changes and is an icon in American History.

There are many who perpetuate the rumor that Lincoln was a backwoods farmer when in actuality he was a well-educated lawyer. He received the nomination from the Republican Convention in 1860 and beat out contenders such as William H. Seward.

Part of the success behind his election was the Democratic Party disintegrating while attempting to nominate a candidate. Those democrats from the Deep South didn’t like Stephen A. Douglass who was one of the favorites among others in the Democratic Party. The split ended up forcing three candidates from the different factions: Stephen A. Douglas from border-states and Northern states, John Bell from those who used to be the Whig party and John C. Breckinridge from the Deep South Democrats.

One of the most significant aspects of Lincoln’s election is that he held all of the Free states and none of the slave states. When the results of the election were announced many in South Carolina and Charleston started meeting to discuss succession. Lincoln was elected the President of the United States (the 16th) on November 6th, 1860 and by November 10th legislature had started meeting and succession talk was underway.

Just over two months after he was elected, President Lincoln saw the first state to succeed when South Carolina voted to secede on December 20th 1860.

Election of 1860 Results