Questions and Answers
What was the main reason Southern Democrats denied Stephen A. Douglas the presidential nomination?
The Democratic Party required a two-thirds majority of delegates for a presidential nomination since 1860.
False
Who were the founders of the League of United Southerners?
William L. Yancey and Edmund Ruffin
The Constitutional Union Party nominated ______ for president.
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What was the nickname of the building where the Republican convention was held?
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Which states were considered crucial for the Republican Party to win the presidency in 1860?
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William H. Seward was the leading prospect for the Republican nomination in 1860.
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What was the primary platform of John C. Breckinridge when he was nominated for president?
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Study Notes
The Democratic National Convention of 1860
- Charleston, South Carolina, was a tense site for the Democratic national convention amid Southern rights radicalism.
- The Democratic Party required a two-thirds majority for presidential nominations, giving Southern delegates significant power.
- Stephen A. Douglas had a simple majority but faced strong opposition from Southern Democrats who feared his policies would undermine pro-slavery interests.
- Southern delegates demanded a federal slave code in the party platform, which Douglas opposed to avoid losing Northern support.
- The convention narrowly rejected the slave code plank, leading to the walkout of fifty Southern delegates.
- After 57 ballots without a nominee, the convention adjourned to Baltimore, significantly weakened.
Rise of Secessionist Sentiment
- Some Southern radicals believed the election of a Republican president would justify secession.
- William L. Yancey and Edmund Ruffin founded the League of United Southerners to galvanize support for secession.
- Yancey's speeches in Charleston called for an "Independent Southern Republic," igniting further revolutionary sentiment.
The Baltimore Convention
- The second convention in Baltimore saw more Southern delegates depart, forming the Southern Rights Democratic Party.
- John C. Breckinridge was nominated for president by the Southern Democrats, advocating for pro-slavery policies.
- The regular Democrats nominated Douglas, setting the stage for a divided four-party election.
Emergence of the Constitutional Union Party
- A coalition of former Southern Whigs and Northern Whigs formed the Constitutional Union Party, nominating John Bell of Tennessee.
- Bell aimed to present a conservative alternative, though the party lacked real chances of winning.
Republican Strategy in the 1860 Election
- The Republican Party positioned itself to potentially elect its first president in 1860 amidst the Democrats' fragmentation.
- Republicans knew they would not receive electoral votes from slave states but had previously dominated Northern states.
- Key swing states for the Republicans included Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Indiana, essential for securing a presidency.
Republican National Convention
- Leading Republican candidate William H. Seward's radical reputation and opposition to nativism became a liability due to his controversial speeches.
- A "stop-Seward" movement emerged, favoring Abraham Lincoln, who was seen as a less polarizing figure despite his anti-slavery stance.
- Lincoln’s more moderate approach and his notable "House Divided" speech positioned him as a viable candidate for the party's nomination.
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Description
Explore the dramatic events of the 1860 Democratic National Convention held in Charleston. This was a pivotal moment in American history marked by sectional confrontations and the struggle for presidential nomination. Discover how Southern rights and radicalism impacted the Democratic Party's dynamics as tensions escalated.
