Exploring Whether or Not the Split of the Democratic Party in 1860 was Responsible for the Election of Lincoln

696 Words2 Pages

There has always been discourse between the political parties of America, and though this is common, a fight within the party can be devastating, and this dispute can lead to a lack of progression in the house. This can also lead to the loss of the house itself. During the election of 1860, a split between the Democratic party supposedly resulted in the election of Abraham Lincoln. Or so many people claim. Did the split of the Democratic party in 1860 actually lead to the election of Lincoln?

In the election of 1860 there were four candidates running; Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, John C. Breckenridge, and John Bell. The Republicans nominated Lincoln, the northern Democrats nominated Douglas, the southern Democrats nominated Breckenridge, and the Constitutional Union Party (Independent/Moderate party) selected John Bell (U-s-history.com). It is believed that because the Democrat Party was split during the election, and therefore had two candidates in which the Democratic voters had to choose between, it divided the Democrat vote and caused Lincoln to win the election. The b...

More about Exploring Whether or Not the Split of the Democratic Party in 1860 was Responsible for the Election of Lincoln

Open Document