What were the main political parties and factions during Abraham Lincoln's presidency?

During Abraham Lincoln's presidency, the main political parties and factions were the Republican Party, the Democratic Party, and various factions within these parties.

The Republican Party, which Lincoln belonged to, was formed in the 1850s and was primarily focused on opposing the expansion of slavery into new territories. They believed in a strong federal government, economic development, and modernization. Lincoln's election as the first Republican president in 1860 was a significant event that led to the secession of several southern states and the outbreak of the American Civil War.

The Democratic Party, on the other hand, was divided into two factions during Lincoln's presidency. The Northern Democrats, also known as War Democrats, supported the Union cause and the war effort against the Confederacy. They generally agreed with Lincoln's policies regarding the preservation of the Union. The Southern Democrats, or Copperheads, were a faction of Democrats who opposed the war and advocated for a negotiated settlement with the Confederacy. They were primarily based in the border states and areas with strong Southern sympathies.

Apart from these two major parties, there were also smaller factions and political groups that played a role during Lincoln's presidency. For example, the Radical Republicans were a faction within the Republican Party who advocated for more aggressive measures against the Confederacy and for the emancipation of slaves. They were critical of Lincoln's moderate approach and pushed for more radical policies.

Overall, the political landscape during Lincoln's presidency was characterized by the Republican Party's dominance, the division within the Democratic Party, and the presence of various factions with differing views on the issues of slavery, secession, and the Civil War.