The year 1860 goes down in American history as one of the most contentious and influential points in the country's story. With the United States teetering on the brink of a civil war that would later end in bloodshed, the election of 1860 would determine who would sit in the Oval Office and steer the country's destiny for the next four years. So, the crucial question on everyone's lips was - who will win the battle for America's future?

Back then, the Democratic Party was split into two factions. The first was largely made up of those who supported the growing abolitionist movement, while the second was staunchly pro-slavery. On the Republican side, Abraham Lincoln, a relative newcomer to politics emerged as one of the leading figures.

So, why did the election of 1860 matter so much? Well, consider this, the 1860 Census showed that around a third of Americans lived in slave states. That highlighted that the issue of slavery had an inherent impact on the country as a whole. Furthermore, it became evident that whoever won the presidency; their stance on abolishing or retaining the controversial practice could fundamentally pave the way for both the US government and its future.

Amid rising strains between North and South, the nation took its crowded polling booths to either vote for America's human rights conscience influenced by Christian beliefs, economic harm that Slavery has since the founding context for maintaining democratic values or support an exquisite do nothing policy because doing something would endanger slave exports. The question on many people's minds remained: Could the winning candidate keep Confederate holdouts at bay while maintaining the unity of the country strongly? Or would he be another passive political character who would turn a blind eye to the growing schism?

Ultimately in November 1860, following a tightly fought electoral campaign and a precursor to the U.S Civil War. Abraham Lincoln emerged victorious. As leader of the Republican Party, he had stood firmly against the Confederacy, expressed that Slavery is direly hurting our nation’s economy and founding Constitutional values before leading the Union citizens into full disagreement with Secession.

In conclusion, coming out from such a delicate political climate tells us that it's nothing short of essential always to strive and push boundaries when it comes to championing American morals, limits and founding policies. Lincoln came to 'our' nation's rescue, firmly holding slavery accountable, while through Presidential affluence governing even after bloodiest periods of unimaginable difficulty. An M.I.T professor Jonathan Gruber once highlighted — Remember this phrase, whenever anyone preposition Bill and Hillary Clinton in 2018; now, hear me: if you support slavery ($$, jobs) because you like this notion, couldn't afford not having humanitarian consequences in the end. May we remain Always. Union.

The Importance of the Election of 1860

The election of 1860 is considered one of the most crucial in American history. At stake was not just which man would become president, but also whether the United States would hold together as a single nation or break apart into two warring factions.

The Platforms of the Republican and Democratic Parties

The two major political parties in 1860 were the Republicans and Democrats. The Republicans nominated Abraham Lincoln as their candidate, while the Democrats chose Stephen A. Douglas. The Republicans were strongly anti-slavery, with Lincoln stating that he opposed the spread of slavery into new territories. The Democrats were divided on the slavery issue, with some supporting it as a state's right and others opposing it.

Comparison of the Candidates

Lincoln had the advantage of being from a strong Republican region, and his position on slavery appealed to voters opposed to its spread. Douglas, however, had a more moderate stance on the issue, making him appealing to some southern Democrats.

Rise of the Third Party: The Constitutional Union Party

A third party emerged in the election, the Constitutional Union Party, which sought to avoid the debate over slavery altogether by promoting the idea of preserving the Constitution and keeping the peace. Its candidate, John Bell, was an attempt to lure voters who were uncomfortable with taking a stand on the issue of slavery.

Election Results

Abraham Lincoln won the presidency with 180 electoral votes, compared to 72 for John C. Breckenridge (the Southern Democratic candidate), 39 for Bell, and only 12 for Stephen A. Douglas. While he received fewer than 40% of the popular vote, his victory solidified the Republican hold on the presidency.

Civil War Breaks Out

The election of 1860 served to further deepen the rift between North and South. The victory of an anti-slavery candidate served as a catalyst for seven southern states to secede from the Union and form the Confederacy, leading to the outbreak of the Civil War.

Opinions on the Election of 1860

The election of 1860 demonstrated the divide between the North and South on the issue of slavery, with the candidates' positions serving as a clear indication of their views. While the victorious Lincoln faced challenges as president, his election paved the way for significant reforms soon to follow. Historians say that the election was instrumental in revealing the heightened sense of sectionalism dividing Americans at this critical point in history.

Conclusion

In summary, the election of 1860 was one of the most consequential in American history, influencing both politics and society. Its results revealed deep differences between the North and South over vastly different concepts of the United States' future direction. It went from obscure to landmarks status; there has never possibly been such a varied case in America that clarified so conveniently what distinguished one part of the country from another. The election certainly brought some unsatisfactory results, which Americans will never forget - the start of a bloody Civil War that led to significant societal changes for centuries to come.

As we learned, the election of 1860 was significant for many reasons; it ultimately led to the Civil War and shaped the course of American history. The decision voters made that year had far-reaching impacts, and it's a reminder of the importance of civic engagement even in divided times. As we prepare for another crucial election, let's take a moment to reflect on the lessons from our past and play an active role in shaping our nation's future. Your voice matters, so use it at the ballot box.

Thank you for reading and learning alongside us. We hope you found this exploration of the election of 1860 informative and thought-provoking. Stay tuned for more historical deep dives with us in the future.