top of page

The election campaign of 1860 and the divisions of the Democratic Party

5.3 The Road to War

The American Civil War and Reconstruction

 A Level/AS Level/O Level

History Notes

Your Burning Questions Answered!

To what extent did the divisions within the Democratic Party in the 1860 election campaign contribute to the outbreak of the American Civil War?

Analyze the impact of reconstruction on the economic development and social fabric of the South.

Evaluate the role of Abraham Lincoln in shaping the course of the American Civil War.

Discuss the key military strategies and tactics employed by both the Union and Confederate armies during the American Civil War.

Examine the long-term consequences of the American Civil War and Reconstruction for the United States.

The election campaign of 1860 and the divisions of the Democratic Party

The Election Campaign of 1860 and the Divisions of the Democratic Party

1. The Rise of Sectionalism: By the 1850s, the United States was increasingly divided along sectional lines, primarily between the North and South. The issue of slavery was a major point of contention, with the North generally opposing its expansion and the South fiercely defending its institution.

2. The Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854): This act, which allowed for the potential expansion of slavery into new territories, ignited tensions and led to violence in Kansas, known as "Bleeding Kansas." It further polarized the country and deepened the divide between North and South.

3. The Republican Party's Formation: The Republican Party emerged in 1854 as a direct response to the Kansas-Nebraska Act. It advocated for the restriction of slavery's expansion, attracting support from abolitionists and anti-slavery Northerners.

4. The 1860 Democratic Convention: The Democratic Party, the nation's dominant political force, was deeply fractured over the issue of slavery. The party's 1860 convention in Charleston, South Carolina, failed to nominate a candidate due to disagreements over the platform.

5. The Split Within the Democratic Party: The split within the Democratic Party was a significant turning point. The Southern Democrats nominated John C. Breckinridge, who supported the expansion of slavery. Northern Democrats nominated Stephen Douglas, who favoured popular sovereignty (allowing residents of a territory to decide whether to allow slavery). This division effectively handed the election to the Republicans.

6. The Republican Victory: Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln, who opposed the expansion of slavery, was elected President in 1860. Though he campaigned on a platform of preventing slavery's spread, his victory was seen as a major threat to the South. Many Southerners felt their way of life was under attack, leading to secession.

7. Secession of Southern States: Following Lincoln's election, eleven Southern states – South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee – seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America.

The American Civil War and Reconstruction

1. The Outbreak of War: The secession of the Southern states and the formation of the Confederacy led to the outbreak of the American Civil War in April 1861. The war was fought primarily over the issue of slavery and the right of states to choose their own destiny.

2. Key Battles and Turning Points: The Civil War was a long and brutal conflict, marked by numerous battles and turning points. Some of the most important battles included Antietam (1862), Gettysburg (1863), and Vicksburg (1863). The Union's victory at Gettysburg was considered a major turning point, as it marked the high-water mark of Confederate advances.

3. Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation: In 1863, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be freed. This proclamation had a significant impact on the war effort, transforming it into a fight not only for the preservation of the Union but also for the abolition of slavery.

4. The Union's Victory: After four years of intense fighting, the Union emerged victorious in 1865. General Robert E. Lee, the Confederate commander, surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia.

5. Reconstruction (1865-1877): The period following the Civil War, known as Reconstruction, saw the Union attempt to rebuild the South and integrate former slaves into society. The 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution were adopted, guaranteeing equal protection under the law and suffrage for African Americans.

6. Challenges of Reconstruction: Reconstruction was a tumultuous period marked by political and social upheaval. Challenges included the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist organization that terrorized African Americans in the South, and resistance from Southern white landowners who sought to maintain their power and control over the workforce.

7. The end of Reconstruction: The Compromise of 1877 effectively ended Reconstruction. It resulted in the withdrawal of federal troops from the South and the return of power to white Southern Democrats. This marked the beginning of the Jim Crow era, a period of segregation and disenfranchisement for African Americans in the South.

5.3 The Road to War

1. The Missouri Compromise (1820): This agreement was designed to maintain a balance between slave and free states. It admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, and prohibited slavery north of the 36°30′ parallel. While it provided a temporary solution, it did not address the underlying tensions over slavery.

2. The Compromise of 1850: This series of five bills was aimed at resolving the issue of slavery in newly acquired territories from Mexico. It included the admission of California as a free state, a stronger Fugitive Slave Act, and the establishment of the principle of popular sovereignty for the territories of Utah and New Mexico. Though it temporarily calmed the tensions, it further emboldened both the abolitionist and pro-slavery movements.

3. The Dred Scott Decision (1857): The Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision declared that enslaved people were not citizens and had no right to sue in federal court. The ruling also declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, effectively paving the way for the expansion of slavery into all territories. This decision was a major blow to the anti-slavery movement and further inflamed sectional tensions.

4. John Brown's Raid (1859): John Brown, a radical abolitionist, led a raid on Harper's Ferry, Virginia, in an effort to incite a slave uprising. Though the raid failed, it shocked many in the South and reinforced the belief that Northerners were determined to abolish slavery, even by force.

5. The Election of Abraham Lincoln: The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, despite not winning a majority of the popular vote, was a major turning point. Many Southerners viewed his election as a declaration of war against their way of life and fueled their secession.

6. The Formation of the Confederacy: Following Lincoln's election, eleven Southern states seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America. The secession of the states and the formation of the Confederacy marked the beginning of the American Civil War.

Economics Study Pack.png
Economics.png

Crack History Exams With Confidence!

Prepare effortlessly for your A/AS/O-Level exams with our comprehensive History Study Pack.

 

Get instant access to a wealth of resources designed to help you thrive and achieve top grades!

 

What’s Inside?

1200+ Model Essays: Master your essay writing with expertly crafted answers to past paper questions.

Exam Boards Covered: Tailored materials for AQA, Cambridge, and OCR exams.

Take Action Now!

Don’t let exam stress hold you back. Equip yourself with the tools you need to succeed. 

bottom of page