1860 United States presidential election — election between Abraham Lincoln, John C. Breckinridge, John Bell and Stephen A. Douglas
Lincoln's victory in the four-way 1860 presidential race triggered Southern secession and set the stage for the American Civil War.
Key Facts
- Lincoln electoral votes
- 180
- Lincoln popular vote share
- 39.7%
- States Lincoln carried
- 18 (all Northern)
- States Breckinridge carried
- 11
- States Bell carried
- 3 (KY, TN, VA)
- Consecutive Republican wins begun
- First of six
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The United States in 1860 was deeply fractured over slavery. Incumbent president James Buchanan did not seek re-election, leaving four major parties to contest the presidency: Republicans, Northern Democrats, Southern Democrats, and the Constitutional Union Party. Disagreement over popular sovereignty and the extension of slavery into territories made a unified Democratic nominee impossible, splitting the anti-Republican vote.
On November 6, 1860, Republican Abraham Lincoln and running mate Hannibal Hamlin defeated three rivals — Stephen A. Douglas, John C. Breckinridge, and John Bell — to win the presidency. Lincoln secured 180 electoral votes and 39.7% of the popular vote, carrying 18 Northern states, while his opponents divided the remaining electoral votes among themselves.
Lincoln's election as the first Republican president prompted seven Southern states that had backed Breckinridge to secede before his inauguration on March 4, 1861. The Civil War began less than two months later with the Battle of Fort Sumter, after which four additional slave states seceded. The election also inaugurated six consecutive Republican presidential victories.
Political Outcome
Abraham Lincoln (Republican) won with 180 electoral votes and 39.7% of the popular vote, defeating Douglas, Breckinridge, and Bell in a four-way race.
Democratic administration under President James Buchanan
First Republican administration under President Abraham Lincoln