Meet the Candidates
Republican
National Convention held in Chicago, Illinois, May 16-18, 1860
Presidential: Abraham Lincoln, former Representative from Illinois
Vice-Presidential: Hannibal Hamlin, Former governor and current Senator from Maine.
Biography: Lincoln was a former Whig, a member of the House of Representatives from 1847 – 1849 where he opposed the Mexican War. He held a law practice in Springfield, Illinois after leaving office. He ran for United States Senate on the Republican ticket in 1858, against incumbent Stephen Douglas, taking part in the now famous “Lincoln-Douglas Debates.” He lost the election, but gained national recognition.
Secession: Lincoln was against secession and wanted to maintain the Union.
Slavery: Opposed the spread of slavery in any form to the new territories (FREE SOILER)
Democrat (Northern)
National Convention held in Charleston, South Carolina on April 23, 1860, then again in Baltimore, Maryland on June 18, 1860
Presidential: Stephen Douglas, Senator from Illinois
Vice-Presidential: Herschel Vespasian Johnson, (after Benjamin Fitzpatrick, Senator from Alabama, (declined) Former Governor of Georgia
Biography: Douglas held United States Senate seat since 1847, supporting both the expansion of the United States to include the entire continent and the Mexican War. In 1858, he was opposed by Lincoln. The two held seven nationally-covered debates across the state of Illinois. Douglas retained the seat.
Secession: Douglas worked tirelessly to create compromises that would allow states to maintain slavery, but prevent secession.
Slavery: Wanted the people of the territories to be able to decide for themselves whether or not they wanted slavery (POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY). He also thinks the South should get to keep slaves.
Constitutional Union
National Convention held in Baltimore on May 9, 1860
Presidential: John Bell, former Senator from Tennessee
Vice-Presidential: Edward Everett, former Senator and Gov. of Massachusetts, former Secretary of State.
Biography: Bell began his career first a democrat and then a Whig, was a member of the House of Representatives, Secretary of State, and Senator from Tennessee. Voted against the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
Secession: Bell’s top priority was keeping the Union intact.
Slavery: As per party line, would not state whether for or against the spread of slavery.
Democrat (Southern)
Convention held in Baltimore on June 18, 1860 after split with main Democrat Party
Presidential: John Breckinridge, Vice President of the US, from Kentucky
Vice-Presidential: Joseph Lane, Senator from Oregon
Biography: Democratic member of the House of Representatives, became President Buchanan’s Vice-President, the youngest to hold the office, at age 35. He was nominated for president by the Southern Democrats, having split from the main Democrat Party. He was endorsed by President Buchanan.
Secession: He believed that southern states had the right to secede, but he advised against it unless it was a last resort.
Slavery: Wished to ensure that slaveholders could own slaves in new territories and keep slaves in the South.
Election of 1860 Campaign Poster
Directions:
1. You are going to create a campaign poster for a candidate in the
presidential election of 1860.The number you drew (1-4) matches up with the
four candidates from the 1860 election (1-Lincoln, 2- Douglas, 3-Bell,
4-Breckenridge).
2. Read the biography of your candidate.
3. Create a campaign poster for your candidate. Be as creative as you like, and
make sure to include color in your poster.
4. Your poster must include:
a. A picture of your candidate (yes you need to draw)
b. A slogan for your candidate (something to show your
candidate’s beliefs)
c. His views on slavery
d. His views on Southern secession
e. His political party
5. Be prepared to campaign for your candidate at the start of class on Monday.
Category / 4Excellent / 3
Acceptable / 2
Minimal / 1-0
Unacceptable
Picture
Slogan
Political Party
Views
Quality / Well written text and carefully chosen visuals; correct spelling/grammar; neat; creative