US History · 11th Grade · Civil War & Reconstruction · Weeks 10-18

Election of 1860 & Secession

Investigate the presidential election of 1860, its results, and the subsequent secession of Southern states.

• Common Core State Standards
• C3: D2.Civ.2.9-12
• C3: D2.His.1.9-12

About This Topic

The Election of 1860 stands as a pivotal moment in American history, directly preceding the Civil War. This election saw a fractured political landscape with four major candidates representing distinct regional interests and ideologies. Abraham Lincoln, representing the Republican Party, campaigned on a platform opposing the expansion of slavery into western territories. The Democratic Party split into Northern and Southern factions, nominating Stephen Douglas and John C. Breckinridge respectively, with differing views on popular sovereignty and slavery. John Bell of the Constitutional Union Party sought to preserve the nation by avoiding the slavery issue altogether. Lincoln's victory, achieved without winning a single Southern state, was perceived by many in the South as a direct threat to their way of life and the institution of slavery, igniting the secession crisis.

This period offers rich opportunities for students to analyze primary source documents, including party platforms, speeches, and newspaper articles, to understand the deep sectional divisions. Examining the electoral map and vote counts reveals the stark regional polarization. The subsequent secession of Southern states, beginning with South Carolina in December 1860, demonstrates the immediate consequences of the election's outcome. Students can debate the inevitability of the Civil War, considering whether compromise was still possible or if the nation was irrevocably set on a path to conflict. Active learning, through simulations or debate, allows students to embody the perspectives of different political factions and grapple with the complex motivations driving secession.

Key Questions

1. Analyze the different party platforms and candidates in the Election of 1860.
2. Explain why Abraham Lincoln's victory prompted Southern states to secede.
3. Evaluate whether the Civil War was inevitable by 1860 given the deep sectional divisions.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

The Civil War was solely about states' rights, not slavery.

What to Teach Instead

While states' rights were invoked, primary source documents from the era, including secession declarations, clearly articulate that the primary right being defended was the right to own enslaved people and extend the institution into new territories. Analyzing these documents directly challenges the misconception.

Common Misconception

Abraham Lincoln wanted to abolish slavery immediately in all states.

What to Teach Instead

Lincoln's platform in 1860 focused on preventing the expansion of slavery, not immediate abolition where it already existed. Examining his public statements and the Republican platform from that year clarifies his initial position and how it was perceived by the South.

Active Learning Ideas

Format Name: Election of 1860 Debate

Divide students into groups representing the four major parties. Each group researches their party's platform and candidate. Students then participate in a structured debate, arguing why their party's vision is best for the nation and responding to opposing viewpoints.

60 min·Small Groups

Format Name: Secession Document Analysis

Provide students with excerpts from secession declarations from various Southern states. Students work in pairs to identify the primary reasons cited for secession, focusing on the role of slavery and states' rights.

45 min·Pairs

Format Name: Electoral Map Reconstruction

Give students blank electoral maps of the 1860 election. They must research and accurately fill in the electoral votes for each candidate based on state results, visually representing the sectional divide.

30 min·Individual

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the main political parties in the Election of 1860?

The main political parties were the Republican Party, led by Abraham Lincoln, advocating against slavery's expansion. The Democratic Party fractured into the Northern Democrats, with Stephen Douglas, and Southern Democrats, with John C. Breckinridge, holding differing views on slavery. The Constitutional Union Party, with John Bell, aimed to avoid the slavery issue.

Why did Lincoln's victory lead to secession?

Southern states feared that Lincoln and the Republican Party would eventually move to abolish slavery, threatening their economic and social systems. Lincoln's election without any Southern electoral votes highlighted their growing political isolation and fueled fears of federal interference with slavery.

How did the different party platforms contribute to the sectional crisis?

Each platform addressed slavery differently, exacerbating tensions. The Republican platform opposed expansion, the Northern Democrats supported popular sovereignty, the Southern Democrats defended slavery's protection, and the Constitutional Unionists ignored the issue. These irreconcilable stances deepened the divide.

How can role-playing activities help students understand the Election of 1860?

Having students research and represent different political parties allows them to actively engage with the complex motivations and arguments of the time. Debates and simulations foster empathy and a deeper understanding of the sectional anxieties that made compromise so difficult.