The 1860 United States presidential election was a pivotal moment in American history, particularly regarding the issue of slavery. Four main candidates ran for president:
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Abraham Lincoln (Republican Party): Lincoln opposed the expansion of slavery into the territories but was not an outright abolitionist. His platform emphasized preventing the spread of slavery rather than immediate abolition, appealing to those in both the North who wanted to stop slavery's extension and those who were willing to tolerate it where it already existed.
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Stephen A. Douglas (Northern Democratic Party): Douglas advocated for "popular sovereignty," meaning that the people in each territory should decide for themselves whether to allow slavery. He believed this approach would resolve the contentious issue without national legislation on slavery.
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John C. Breckinridge (Southern Democratic Party): Breckinridge supported the protection of slavery in all territories and was more aligned with Southern interests. He believed that slave owners had the right to take their property (enslaved individuals) into the territories.
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William H. Seward (Constitutional Union Party): Although not formally one of the main candidates (his party represented a faction that was more concerned with preserving the Union), Seward had a strong anti-slavery stance and was one of the leading voices against the institution of slavery. The Constitutional Union Party sought to appeal to moderates by avoiding taking a definitive stance on slavery while emphasizing national unity.
The election of 1860 heightened sectional tensions and ultimately led to the secession of Southern states and the onset of the Civil War. Lincoln's victory was particularly controversial in the South, as they viewed him as a threat to the institution of slavery.