On May 15 1860, the Republican Party held its convention in Chicago's "Wigwam", known for its box-like structure. The front runner for the nomination was William H. Seward of New York. Surprisingly, this popular political figure was passed over for the lesser-known Abraham Lincoln of Illinois. Seward, probably the most likely candidate, believed the nomination was his to win. His standing as the odds-on favorite seemingly worked against him because he was the most susceptible to criticism. Following his loss for the U.S. Senate, Lincoln won supporters through a year-long campaign all over the North. By early 1860, numerous politicians were obligated to Lincoln for his support. Also on Lincoln's side were hard working campaign managers and supporters who were prepared to gain him votes. He emerged victorious on the third ballot.

The Republican Party platform was against the westward expansion of slavery, yet oppo

Lincoln, on the other hand, did not make a single speech that could be considered political. His former opponents largely drove his campaign. Men like Seward, Salmon Chase of Ohio, and Edward Bates of Missouri led the campaign for Lincoln's election. These men had once wished to be president themselves, but now they had to help their fellow party member get elected. Lincoln's past was widely publicized. He was shown to be a self-made man who once had to split rails for a living, which led to the name the "Rail Splitter". His known honesty helped in creating other names such as "Honest Abe". After being advised by close friend and supporter, Jesse Bell, Lincoln wrote an autobiography, which would give the public insight to his relatively un-known past life showing how he was born in a log cabin. Another campaign technique was the establishment of the "Wide Awakes". This brought groups of young men together to march in favor of Abraham Lincoln in large parades.

Despite what many believe, the election of 1860 was not the only reason for the division of our nation. It was a culmination of numerous other incidents. This sectional tension had been building up for years. Events such as "Bleeding Kansas", Harper's Ferry, and the Dred Scott decision all contributed to the outbreak of war. The election of 1860 was only the match, which set off an explosion America had never seen before. The war that followed in the years to come would be the bloodiest and most unforgettable event in American history.

Now the nominees for each party were set, and the 1860 campaign for presidency had begun. The election was actually split into two sections. In the North, Lincoln faced off against Douglas, and in the South, Bell and Breckinridge battled for voters. The only candidate to do any personal campaigning was Douglas. He turned out to be the first American presidential candidate to have a nationwide tour. He not only had speeches in the New England area, but he also went South to speak of keeping the Union together.

Opponents of Lincoln poked fun at his looks and limited experience in politics. His party was at times called the "Black Republicans" for their stance on the slavery issue. Breckinri

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)