The presidential election of 1860 had significant consequences, primarily due to the deep divisions within the country over the issue of slavery. One direct consequence of the election was:
- The secession of Southern states from the Union: Following Abraham Lincoln's election, which was perceived as a threat to the institution of slavery, several Southern states began to secede from the Union. This laid the groundwork for the Civil War, as many in the South feared that Lincoln's presidency would lead to the abolition of slavery.
This outcome was influenced by the electoral divide, as Lincoln received no electoral votes from the Southern states, highlighting the sectional tensions that were becoming increasingly pronounced in American politics.