Split

Definition

In the context of the Election of 1860 and secession, the term 'split' refers to the division within political parties, particularly the Democratic Party, over issues such as slavery and states' rights. This division resulted in a fragmented political landscape, where different factions could not agree on a unified candidate, leading to multiple candidates running for president, which ultimately intensified regional tensions and contributed to the secession of Southern states.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Democratic Party split into Northern and Southern factions during the 1860 election due to disagreements over slavery, with each faction nominating its own candidate.
2. Lincoln won the presidency with only 40% of the popular vote, demonstrating how divided the nation had become and how many voters were split among multiple candidates.
3. Following Lincoln's election, seven Southern states seceded from the Union by February 1861, forming the Confederate States of America.
4. The split within the Democratic Party showcased the growing sectionalism in the U.S., reflecting deep divisions between the North and South that would eventually lead to civil war.
5. The 1860 election is often viewed as a turning point that highlighted the failures of compromises made over slavery and paved the way for greater conflict.

Review Questions

• How did the split within the Democratic Party impact the outcome of the 1860 presidential election?
  • The split within the Democratic Party significantly weakened its chances in the 1860 presidential election by allowing Abraham Lincoln to win with a minority of the popular vote. With Northern Democrats backing Stephen Douglas and Southern Democrats supporting John C. Breckinridge, their divided votes enabled Lincoln, who ran without Southern support, to secure victory. This fragmentation illustrated the growing tensions over slavery and demonstrated how deeply divided American politics had become.
• In what ways did Lincoln's election contribute to the secession movement among Southern states?
  • Lincoln's election was perceived as a direct threat to the institution of slavery, which many Southern states relied upon for their economy and social structure. His stance against expanding slavery into new territories alarmed Southern leaders, prompting them to believe that their way of life was under attack. The split in political loyalties exacerbated this fear, leading seven Southern states to secede from the Union shortly after his election, culminating in the formation of the Confederacy.
• Evaluate how the split in political parties during this period influenced public sentiment regarding civil war and national unity.
  • The split in political parties during this period amplified existing sectional tensions and cultivated an environment ripe for civil conflict. As voters became increasingly aligned with either pro-Union or pro-secession sentiments based on party affiliation, public opinion polarized around issues of state rights and slavery. This deepening divide ultimately undermined national unity, as citizens rallied behind their respective factions, contributing to a climate that made civil war seem inevitable. The inability to find common ground among political leaders reflected broader societal fractures that had developed over decades.

Related terms

Democratic Party:

A major political party in the United States that was deeply divided during the election of 1860, primarily over the issue of slavery, leading to a split into Northern and Southern factions.

Secession:

The act of withdrawing formally from membership in a federation or body, particularly referring to Southern states leaving the Union following Lincoln's election.

Lincoln's Election: The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, which was pivotal in catalyzing the split in the Democratic Party and subsequently leading to the secession of several Southern states.