Overview
Abraham Lincoln's victory in the election of 1860 caused anger and immediate secession from several southern states.
The Election of 1860
Abraham Lincoln
Election of 1860, Abraham Lincoln
- Republican politician
- desired for slavery to end
- opponents = mostly from the South
"Our political problem now is can we, as a nation, continue together permanently---forever---half slave, and half free? The problem is too mighty for me. May God, in his mercy, superintend the solution".
--Abraham Lincoln, August 15, 1855
The Results of the Election
Lincoln gained only 40% of the Popular Vote
- 60% of voters voted against Lincoln
- because of electoral system, Lincoln still becomes elected with 59% of electoral votes
- with 60% of the nation's voters having their candidate not being chosen, many people became frustrated with Lincoln as their new President
"Lincoln's election was an avowed declaration of war upon the institutions, the rights and the interests of the South."
--John A. Elmore, Alabama's commissioner to South Carolina, Dec. 17th, 1860 (pg. 27 Apostles of Disunion)
- Abraham reassured the southerners he would not interfere with slavery in the south, but they still believed that the government would abolish slavery
- Hence Lincoln's victory in the election of 1860 immediately triggering the secession of Southern states