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. Response Area
What happened? Summarize the event! Response Area
Where did the event take place? Response Area
When did the event take place? Response Area
Why is this event important to Georgia’s history? Response Area
Who was involved? The election of 1860 involved political parties, presidential candidates, and voters across the United States, including in Georgia. The main candidates were Abraham Lincoln for the Republican Party, Stephen A. Douglas for the Northern Democratic Party, John C. Breckinridge for the Southern Democratic Party, and John Bell for the Constitutional Union Party.
What happened? The election of 1860 was a highly contentious and significant event in American history. It took place amidst growing tensions between the Northern and Southern states over the issue of slavery. Abraham Lincoln, a Republican candidate who opposed the expansion of slavery, emerged victorious and was elected as the 16th President of the United States.
Where did the event take place? The election took place across the entire United States, including Georgia.
When did the event take place? The election of 1860 took place on November 6, 1860.
Why is this event important to Georgia’s history? The election of 1860 was crucial to Georgia's history because it reflected the deep divide and tension between the North and South over the issue of slavery. Georgia, like other Southern states, strongly favored protecting slavery and feared that a Republican president like Lincoln would threaten their way of life. The election's outcome eventually led to the secession of Southern states, including Georgia, and the start of the American Civil War.