The election of 1860 was a pivotal moment in American history, as it showcased the deep divisions within the country over issues such as slavery and states' rights. Four candidates vied for the presidency: Abraham Lincoln of the Republican Party, Stephen A. Douglas of the Northern Democrats, John C. Breckinridge of the Southern Democrats, and John Bell of the Constitutional Union Party. Lincoln's platform opposed the expansion of slavery into the territories, which alarmed many in the South. He won the presidency without carrying a single Southern state, highlighting the geographic and ideological divides in the nation.
Lincoln's election exacerbated tensions between the North and South, as many Southern leaders perceived his presidency as a direct threat to the institution of slavery and the Southern way of life. In response to his victory, several Southern states began to secede from the Union, starting with South Carolina in December 1860. This chain of events ultimately led to the outbreak of the Civil War in April 1861, as the newly formed Confederate States of America sought to defend their perceived rights and sovereignty against the federal government. Thus, the election of 1860 acted as a catalyst for conflict, revealing the irreconcilable differences between the two regions and setting the stage for the violent struggle that would follow.