Abraham Lincoln and the Election of 1860

Abraham Lincoln Born in a single room log cabin, not much money Experienced loss; depressed lost his mother when he was 9, brother died as an infant, older sister died during childbirth, romantic interest died, Lincoln’s son died. Mary Todd Lincoln – wife Taught himself law, became successful lawyer Interest in politics

Lincoln – Douglas Debates Stephen A. Douglas is candidate running for US Senator for Illinois; public nominate Abraham Lincoln to run against Douglas Lincoln challenges Douglas to a series of political debates across the state of Illinois – they have 7 Discuss the issue of slavery, states’ rights, preservation of Union Lincoln loses race for Senator Lincoln has debates published the following year and his views were important in gaining support for presidency Lincoln gained popularity https://app.discoveryeducation.com/learn/videos/c336584c-357b-43a0-9040-d02caa383c67?hasLocalHost=true

Election of 1860 Republican – Abraham Lincoln Democrat – Stephen Douglas Southern Democrat – John Breckenridge Constitutional Union Party (former Whig) – John Bell 1860 election established the Democratic and Republican majority parties in the US Lincoln wins election – 16th President

Secession Secede – break away from entity South Carolina is the first to secede from the Union (December 1860) TX, LA, MS, AL, FL, GA and SC had all seceded by Feb 1861 Meet in AL to form new nation Confederate States of America Senator Jefferson Davis of MS is nominated as President They believe gov’t broke contract so they could leave the Union https://app.discoveryeducation.com/learn/videos/d0fd1064-b7a9-41cb-b818-55456543dfa8?hasLocalHost=true