Unit 4 Lesson 6: Slavery in Georgia
Election of 1860
Who was involved? Think about the people or groups who were involved and affected by this event.
What happened? Summarize the event!
Where did the event take place?
When did the event take place?
Why is this event important to Georgia’s history?
The Election of 1860 involved several key people and groups, including political parties, candidates, and voters. The major contenders in the election were Abraham Lincoln of the Republican Party, John C. Breckinridge of the Southern Democratic Party, John Bell of the Constitutional Union Party, and Stephen A. Douglas of the Northern Democratic Party. The event also involved the American public, particularly in the Southern states, who were deeply impacted by the outcome.
During the election, Abraham Lincoln emerged as the winner, becoming the 16th President of the United States. His victory was significant because it represented the triumph of the Northern states and the anti-slavery movement over the Southern states and their pro-slavery stance. Lincoln's election prompted secession and the beginning of the Civil War.
The event took place throughout the United States, but its impact was particularly felt in the Southern states, including Georgia.
The Election of 1860 occurred on November 6, 1860.
This event is crucial to Georgia's history because it marked the turning point in the state's relationship with the federal government and led to its secession from the Union. The outcome of the election and the secession that followed ultimately resulted in the Civil War, which had a profound and lasting impact on Georgia's economy, society, and political landscape. The war also led to the abolition of slavery in the United States, forever changing the socioeconomic dynamics of Georgia and the South as a whole.