How did the results of the presidential election in 1860 influence South Carolina’s decision to secede from the Union?
Who won this election? What was South Carolina afraid of?
"Results of the 1860 election
presidential candidate political party
Abraham Lincoln Republican 180
John C. Breckinridge Southern Democratic 72"
I posted the election results above.
@blahhh how about you stop because we are here to get help and all you are doing is putting people down by saying "Maybe if you guys really used your minds and thought like intelligent people..." really that's a low blow so stop please because maybe people don't get help at home or other reasons .
sincerely, Anonymous
The results of the presidential election in 1860 heavily influenced South Carolina's decision to secede from the Union. To understand this influence, one should analyze the events leading up to the election and how it affected the state's stance on secession.
1. Historical Context:
a. South Carolina had long been dissatisfied with the federal government's growing influence and its interference with the institution of slavery.
b. The state's politicians were prominent advocates of states' rights and believed that slavery was integral to their economic and social structure.
2. The Election of 1860:
a. In the 1860 presidential election, there were four major candidates: Abraham Lincoln (Republican Party), Stephen A. Douglas (Northern Democrat), John C. Breckinridge (Southern Democrat), and John Bell (Constitutional Union Party).
b. Lincoln's Republican Party had a strong anti-slavery platform, aiming to prevent the expansion of slavery into new territories.
c. Southern states feared that Lincoln's election would undermine slavery and potentially lead to its abolition.
3. Impact on South Carolina:
a. Abraham Lincoln won the election by securing a majority in the Electoral College, even though he did not receive any Electoral College votes from Southern states.
b. South Carolina, viewing Lincoln's victory as a threat to their interests, took immediate action.
c. On December 20, 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union, arguing that the federal government had violated its constitutional obligations, jeopardizing their right to maintain slavery.
In summary, South Carolina's decision to secede from the Union was heavily influenced by Abraham Lincoln's election as president in 1860. The fear of Lincoln's anti-slavery stance and his potential policies regarding slavery led the state to take the drastic step of secession. By examining the historical context and the events surrounding the election, we can understand why South Carolina viewed the election results as a catalyst for its secession.