The Political Battlefield of the 1860 Presidential Election

The 1860 U.S. presidential election was a pivotal moment in American history, marked by intense debates over slavery. The Lincoln-Douglas debates in Illinois highlighted the national divide on this issue. Lincoln's victory in the election, despite securing only 40% of the popular vote, led to the secession of Southern states, setting the stage for the Civil War. The election underscored the deep divisions within the country and the challenges of reconciling differing views on slavery and states' rights.

What was a major issue in the 1860 U.S. presidential election?

• Taxation policies

• Women's suffrage

• Foreign trade

• Slavery

Who were the main participants in the 1858 Illinois Senate race?

• James Buchanan and Millard Fillmore

• Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay

• John C. Breckinridge and John Bell

• Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln

What was Abraham Lincoln's stance on slavery during the debates with Douglas?

• He supported its expansion

• He wanted to abolish it immediately

• He believed each state should decide independently

• He opposed its expansion into new states

What was the outcome of the 1858 Senate race for Lincoln?

• He won the Senate seat

• He became Vice President

• He lost but gained national prominence

• He withdrew from the race

How many electoral votes did Lincoln secure in the 1860 election?

• 200

• 180

• 220

• 150

Which political party did Lincoln represent in the 1860 election?

• Republican Party

• Democratic Party

• Federalist Party

• Whig Party

Which state was the first to secede from the Union after Lincoln's election?

• Virginia

• Georgia

• Mississippi

• South Carolina

What was the main concern of Southern states that led to secession?

• High taxes

• Foreign policy disagreements

• Loss of states' rights and economic impact of ending slavery

• Lack of representation in Congress

What major event followed the 1860 presidential election?

• The War of 1812

• The Spanish-American War

• The American Revolution

• The Civil War

What was required to reunite the country after the Civil War?

• A new presidential election

• A new constitution

• Three constitutional amendments

• A peace treaty with Britain