Information About Each Candidate:
Political Party Views on Slavery Planned Actions on Slavery if Elected Region(s) of Strongest Support
Abraham Lincoln Republican
Does not own slaves.
"If slavery is not wrong, nothing is."
Prohibit slavery in territories;
Limit slavery to where it already exists.
North (N)
Stephen Douglas Democrat
Does not own slaves, but his wife does.
"It is none of my business which way the slavery clause [in Kansas] is decided.”
Oppose federal slave code;*
Support popular sovereignty.+
North (N) and Border States (B)
John Breckenridge Democrat
Owns slaves.
Slavery is a “wholly local and domestic” issue that states should decide.
Support federal slave code;*
Support popular sovereignty.+
South (S) and Border States (B)
John Bell Constitutional Union
Owns slaves.
Slavery is a "blessing morally, socially and politically.”
Avoid taking action on the slavery issue and keep the country united. South (S) and Border States (B)
*The federal slave code would allow slaveholders to move into any of the western territories.
+ Popular sovereignty means allowing residents of western states to vote on whether or not to allow slavery within their borders.
Question 2
Imagine that each of the statements below is made by a voter in 1860.
Which candidate would each person most likely support, based on their views about slavery?
(You can use the "check answer" button twice on this question.)
(4 points)
Put responses in the correct input to answer the question. Select a response, navigate to the desired input and insert the response. Responses can be selected and inserted using the space bar, enter key, left mouse button or touchpad. Responses can also be moved by dragging with a mouse.
"I believe slavery is evil. If we can't get rid of it now, we must at least do whatever we can to stop it from spreading."
"I'm worried that taking any action on slavery now may lead to war. The government should avoid changing any laws about slavery until things calm down."
"I'm glad slavery isn't allowed in my state, but I think that each state should decide for themselves how to handle the slavery question."
"I think the states should decide whether to allow slavery, and the federal government should protect the rights of slave holders. American citizens should be able to take their property anywhere they want to within the United States."
The option "John Bell" (4 of 4) has been selected. Press tab to choose a response area, and spacebar to insert it. Press escape to cancel.
Based on their views about slavery, each person would most likely support the following candidates:
"I believe slavery is evil. If we can't get rid of it now, we must at least do whatever we can to stop it from spreading." - Abraham Lincoln
"I'm worried that taking any action on slavery now may lead to war. The government should avoid changing any laws about slavery until things calm down." - John Bell
"I'm glad slavery isn't allowed in my state, but I think that each state should decide for themselves how to handle the slavery question." - Stephen Douglas
"I think the states should decide whether to allow slavery, and the federal government should protect the rights of slave holders. American citizens should be able to take their property anywhere they want to within the United States." - John Breckenridge