What was unique about the candidates in the 1860 election?

Answer 1

The election of 1860 was unusual because the parties were split into northern and southern groups. The Northern Democrats and the Southern Democrats argued on the candidate to pick. The Republicans knew that with the south split in their decision, they needed someone who could carry the north as a whole and picked Abraham Lincoln. At this time in the country, there were four political groups - the Republicans (who chose Lincoln), the Southern Democrats (who nominated John C. Breckenridge), the Constitutional Union party (nominated John Bell), and the Northern Democrats (who nominated Stephen Douglas). Because the Democrats were split between two candidates, the Republicans and Lincoln were able to win the election.

Answer 2

Slavery was the major issue in the 1860 election. The Republican Party platform promised not to interfere with slavery in the states, but opposed the further extension of slavery into the territories. Republican Party candidate Abraham Lincoln won the 1860 presidential election defeating John Breckinridge, John Bell and Stephen Douglas. Abraham Lincoln received 180 electoral votes from 18 of the 33 states. Abraham Lincoln did not receive electoral votes from any southern state. Lincoln was not on the ballot in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas declared its secession from the United States following the November 1860 election of Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln to the U.S. presidency. The Civil War began with the Confederate attack upon Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, a Union fort in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina. After the Civil War began in April, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina also declared their secession and joined the Confederacy.