History Abraham Lincoln Questions Long
Abraham Lincoln's election as President of the United States in 1860 was influenced by several key events that shaped the political landscape of the time. These events can be categorized into three main factors: the sectional tensions over slavery, the rise of the Republican Party, and the political climate of the 1860 election.
Firstly, the issue of slavery played a significant role in Lincoln's election. The United States was deeply divided over the issue, with the Southern states heavily reliant on slave labor and the Northern states increasingly opposed to the institution. The passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854, which allowed for the expansion of slavery into new territories, further intensified these tensions. This act led to violent clashes between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in Kansas, known as "Bleeding Kansas," and highlighted the growing divide between the North and the South.
Secondly, the rise of the Republican Party was instrumental in Lincoln's election. The Republican Party was formed in the 1850s as a coalition of various anti-slavery groups, including former Whigs, Free-Soilers, and Northern Democrats. The party's main goal was to prevent the expansion of slavery into new territories. The Republicans gained significant support in the North, where anti-slavery sentiment was strong, and they quickly emerged as a major political force. Lincoln, a former Whig, joined the Republican Party and became one of its prominent leaders.
The third factor leading to Lincoln's election was the political climate of the 1860 election. The Democratic Party, traditionally the dominant party in American politics, was deeply divided over the issue of slavery. The party split into Northern and Southern factions, each nominating their own candidate for the presidency. This division weakened the Democrats and provided an opportunity for the Republicans to gain support. In the election, Lincoln faced off against Stephen Douglas of the Northern Democrats, John C. Breckinridge of the Southern Democrats, and John Bell of the Constitutional Union Party. With the Democratic vote split, Lincoln was able to secure a majority in the Electoral College, winning the presidency despite not receiving a single electoral vote from the Southern states.
In conclusion, the key events leading to Abraham Lincoln's election as President were the sectional tensions over slavery, the rise of the Republican Party, and the political climate of the 1860 election. The deep divisions over slavery, the emergence of the Republicans as a major political force, and the split within the Democratic Party all contributed to Lincoln's victory in the election. His election marked a turning point in American history, as it ultimately led to the secession of Southern states and the outbreak of the Civil War.