according to "Division: The Election of 1860" from the "U.S. History detective Book 1" explain why the election of 1860 was one of the most unusual elections in the history of the U.S.

The election of 1860 is often considered one of the most unusual elections in U.S. history due to its highly contentious context and the significant divisions within the country. Here are a few key points that highlight its uniqueness:

1. Regional and Political Divisions: The nation was deeply divided along lines of regional interests, primarily between the North and the South. The issue of slavery was central to the political discourse, and different factions within the country had starkly opposing views on its future.

2. Multiple Candidates: The election featured four major candidates representing different political factions:

   • Abraham Lincoln, representing the newly formed Republican Party, which opposed the expansion of slavery.
   • Stephen A. Douglas, the Northern Democratic candidate, who supported popular sovereignty, allowing states to decide on slavery themselves.
   • John C. Breckinridge, the Southern Democratic candidate, who advocated for the protection of slavery in the territories.
   • John Bell, representing the Constitutional Union Party, who sought to preserve the Union without taking a strong stance on slavery.

3. Absence of a National Campaign: The election lacked a cohesive national campaign due to the fractured political landscape. Candidates primarily appealed to their specific regional bases rather than presenting a unified national message.

4. Impact of Slavery on Voter Sentiment: The issue of slavery dominated the political agenda and influenced voter sentiment significantly. The stakes of the election were perceived as critical for the future of the Union, with many fearing that Lincoln's election would lead to Southern secession.

5. Secession Following the Election: Lincoln's victory, achieved without carrying a single Southern state, intensified fears in the South about the Republican Party's intentions regarding slavery. This led to a rapid sequence of events culminating in the secession of several Southern states and the eventual onset of the Civil War.

In summary, the election of 1860 was unusual due to its unprecedented divisions, the variety of candidates and their regional bases, and the immediate consequences that followed, setting the stage for the American Civil War.

The election of 1860 was one of the most unusual in U.S. history due to its deep regional divisions over slavery, the presence of four major candidates representing differing political factions, the absence of a cohesive national campaign, heightened voter sentiment surrounding the issue, and the immediate aftermath of Lincoln's victory, which precipitated the secession of Southern states and the onset of the Civil War.