Many Americans believed that the election of 1860 would decide the fate of the Union. The Democratic Party was the only party in the national scope. The convention in Charleston, South Carolina in 1860 split the Democratic Party. Stephen Douglas wanted his party’s presidential nomination, but he could not afford to alienate northern voters by accepting the southern position on the territories. However, "Southern Democrats insisted on recognition of their rights, as the Dred Scott decision had defined them and they moved to block Douglas’s nomination"( Bialy, 2007, p. 383). Douglas obtained a majority for his version of the platform, delegates from the South walked out of the convention. After compromise efforts the Democrats presented two nominees: Douglas for the northern wing, and Vice President John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky for the southern. The Republicans nominated Abraham Lincoln at the convention in Chicago. The nomination of Lincoln showed a growing power of the Midwest, and perceived more a reasonable on slavery than the early front runner, Senator William H. Seward of New York. John Bell of Tennessee was nominated by a Constitutional Union Party that was formed to conserve the nation but strong only in the upper South. Lincoln and the Republicans denied any intent with slavery in the states where it existed, they stood firm against the extension of slavery into the territories.
Lincoln won the election of 1860, but Douglas, Breckinridge, and Bell together received a majority of the votes. “Douglas had broad-based support but won only in one state” (Bialy, 2007, p384). Breckinridge won support from nine southern states. Bell won pluralities in Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Lincoln succeed in the North, but “i...
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... as America’s greatest president, despite his lack of education and experience. His accomplishments in preserving the Union, abolish slavery, establishing the Republican Party, enforcing the first income tax, and the construction transcontinental railroad all helped in establishing who Abraham Lincoln was.
References
Bailey, B., Blight, D., Katzman, D., Logevall, F., Norton, M., Paterson, T., & Tuttle, W., (2007). A people and a nation. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA.
Davis, C. K.. Don’t know much about History: Everything you need to know about American history. (2003). Harper-Collins Publishing Inc.: New York, NY.
Anzovin, S., Kane, N. J., & Podell, J.(7th ed.) Facts about the Presidents. (2001). H.W. Company: Bronx, NY
The Civil War Preservation Trust. (2006) Retrieved December 10, 2007 from
http://www.civilwar.org/historyclassroom/hc_taxes.htm
The Lincoln-Douglas debates were part of a larger campaign to achieve political adjectives from the two. Lincoln was running for Douglas’ seat in the senate as a republican. Douglas had been a member of congress since 1843, a national figure for the Democratic Party, who was running for re-election. The debates attracted national attentions, mostly due to Douglas’ persona. Lincoln took advantage and made a name for himself as a prominent contender in national politics. At the time, the Democratic Party was going through a sectional riff, at the time of the debates. Douglas had recently gone against president Buchanan and the southern democrats when he apposed the admission of Kansas as a slave state. Douglass was against the Lecompton constitution; the stand was popular among republicans. The outcome, would have maintained the unity between the Nor and south sections of the Democratic Party. Buchanan, along with the southern democrats, were in favor of Lincolns candidacy, they feared Douglas’ going interest, and for his lack of support to the Democratic leaders. With Douglas receiving support from republicans, Lincoln would have to keep Illinois republicans from supporting Douglas. Lincoln would use the morality of slavery to wedge support away from Douglas’ famous popular sovereignty, while winning support of abolitionist. The house divided quote Lincoln used in his speech was taken from Mark 3:25.
Abraham Lincoln served in many facets of the United States government and was also a respected lawyer in Illinois. He was best known for being elected as the 16th President of the United States of America. As president, Lincoln guided the United States through one of the worst times in American history, the Civil War. From the start of his political career, Lincoln was instrumental in his efforts and eventual success in ending slavery in America. He was known for his public speaking abilities and delivered some of the most popular speeches in United States history. He lived a successful life before the presidency, during the presidency, and up to the time of his tragic death. His life was cut short when he was assassinated in 1865 while still serving as President of the United States. Lincoln was revered as one of the greatest presidents in American history. Prior to becoming one of the most powerful men in the world, Lincoln grew up in a poverty-stricken family.
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...
Without a doubt, Abraham Lincoln is one of the most celebrated people in American history. Between time span of the years 1800-1900, Abraham Lincoln is a man that stands out from the rest because of his accomplishments during life and presidency. Lincoln most definitely helped shape the United States into what it is today, with lasting benefits of equality for all, regardless of skin color. During presidency, Lincoln carried on doing what he wanted to get done despite the lack of support from many and endless death threats. When there was conflict among advisors and himself, his leadership style often involved telling a story that displayed his point. Most of the time this method worked, and many people admired and respected him for it. He
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, was the president during the most difficult time in American History. While being the president during the Civil War Era, Lincoln had to face and conquer a large amount of difficult missions that helped to save our country. He resembled a dedicated, brave character that had a unique form of leadership that consisted of telling stories to explain his actions and to influence society to follow his lead. Lincoln’s goals as the leader of the country were to abolish slaves and to unify the nation. Abraham Lincoln did not let anything get in his way to improve the United States which makes him the most dedicated, influential American of the period up to 1877.
Norton, Beth, et al. A People and a Nation. 8th. 1. Mason, OH: 2009. 41-42, 65-67,161,173.
As a central figure in the Republican Party and passionate advocate for anti-slavery, William Henry Seward characterized the conflict between the Southern Democrats and Northern Republicans as inevitable. Each political party had two radically different ideologies regarding the expansion of slavery into western territories. The Southern Democrats believed that slavery should exist in all western states while the Northern Republicans strongly disagreed. Similar to the ideologies of the Republicans, Seward believed that slavery was unjust and humans were granted the r...
Abraham Lincoln is arguably one of the greatest presidents in the history of the United States. He only served 5 years, but was president in the worst period of American history. He did the unthinkable to many people because of the severity of the decision; he emancipated slaves in the United States. This caused him to be dubbed ‘The Great Emancipator’. The nickname he received is an accurate one because it is a major decision that shaped the future of America. This decision was long overdue and he made sure that the prosperity would not have to deal with the issue of slavery separating the government. Additionally, he was able to change the landscape of the war because the North had affected the South’s way of life. He was very bold for declaring that all slaves will be free, but it was for the improvement of America.
...ecause of so many sectional differences, each region of America had its own intended President, creating a situation in which the losers of the election would already be organized for revolt. However, given that the parties were what they were, President Lincoln could have proposed a quick but strong compromise, right after he won the election, which would keep the Southerners and other non-supporters satisfied with the new political situation. Unfortunately, slavery-issues had been brewing for far too long for this situation to have an easy way out.
The presidential elections of 1860 was one of the nation’s most memorable one. The north and the south sections of country had a completely different vision of how they envision their home land. What made this worst was that their view was completely opposite of each other. The north, mostly republican supporters, want America to be free; free of slaves and free from bondages. While on the other hand, the south supporters, mostly democratic states, wanted slavery in the country, because this is what they earned their daily living and profit from.
Abraham Lincoln is regarded by many Americans as the greatest president to ever hold office in the history of the United States, and his reputation is definitely well deserved. Lincoln wasn't scared to stand up and fight for what he knew was right. He was convinced that within the branches of government, the presidency alone was empowered not only to uphold the Constitution, but also to protect, and defend it. Lincoln was able to lead our country and preserve the Union, keeping the United States from splintering during the devastating times of the Civil War. As President, he built the Republican Party into a strong national organization, and he rallied most of the northern Democrats to the Union cause. On January 1, 1863, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation that changed the war into a battle for freedom and declared forever free those slaves within the Confederacy. That November, Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address, which stated how a country must be dedicated to human freedom in order to survive. He dedicated the battlefield to the soldiers who had perished, and called on the living to finish the task the dead soldiers had begun. (Donald, 1995) Lincoln believed that democracy could be a lasting form of government. He showed a nobility of character that had worldwide appeal, and he was a man of great integrity. However, Lincoln was not only the 16th president of the United States, he was an American hero. Lincoln was a well-rounded individual and he had numerous outstanding qualities. However, it is important to remember that Lincoln also led a private life, complete with close friends and family.
In the start of 1860, sectional dilemmas disputing over the topic of the expansion of slavery into territories that splintered in Northern and Southern factions after the Democratic Party left. Because of this the Northern Democrats decided to recommend Stephen Douglas. They chose Stephen Douglas because his campaigned highlighted the use of compromise to prevent disunion. However, the Southern Democrats recommend John C. Breckenridge. Every republican backed up Abraham Lincoln and his decision to prohibit the expansion of slavery into new territories. He also prohibited implementing several economic policies created to revitalize Northern industry. Once the Democrats expressed divided opposition, the Republican Party then obtained enough electoral votes to insert Lincoln into the White House with minimal support from the South. For these reasons, the North and South did not get along well, which caused a split in the Republican
Norton, Katzman, Escott, Churacoff, Paterson, Tuttle and Brophy. A People and a Nation. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1999.
Both sides desired a republican form of government. Each wanted a political system that would “protect the equality and liberty of the individuals from aristocratic privilege and…tyrannical power.” (404) However, the north and south differed greatly in “their perceptions of what most threatened its survival.” (404) The secession by the south was an attempt to reestablish republicanism, as they no longer found a voice in the national stage. Prior to the 1850s, this conflict had been channeled through the national political system. The collapse of the two-party system gave way to “political reorganization and realignment,” wrote Holt. The voters of the Democrats shifted their influence toward state and local elections, where they felt their concerns would be addressed. This was not exclusively an economically determined factor. It displayed the exercise of agency by individual states. Holt pointed out, “[T]he emergence of a new two-party framework in the South varied from state to state according to the conditions in them.” (406) The “Deep South” was repulsed by the “old political process,” most Southerners trusted their state to be the safeguards of republicanism. (404) They saw the presidential election of Abraham Lincoln, a member of the “the anti-Southern Republican party,” as something the old system could not
Abraham Lincoln was probably the most effective U.S. President. Everyone has an opinion of each president’s effectiveness; but, Lincoln’s achievements while in office show his effectiveness. He was able to make a tough decision in a time of crisis, and work to preserve the Union while taking into account every side’s perspective on the issue of slavery. He demonstrated his ability to make decisions for the betterment the nation, and even when under pressure made the decisions that needed to be done. Abraham Lincoln was an effective