Election of 1860 and Secession - AP U.S. History

1. What was the main platform of the Republican Party in 1860?

   Opposition to the expansion of slavery. Key position that distinguished Republicans from Democrats.

2. What was the significance of the Lincoln-Douglas debates?

   Highlighted opposing views on slavery. 1858 Senate debates exposed irreconcilable differences.

3. How did the split in the Democratic Party affect the 1860 election?

   It divided the vote, aiding Lincoln's victory. Opposition candidates split anti-Republican vote.

4. Which state was the first to secede from the Union after the 1860 election?

   South Carolina. Seceded December 20, 1860, just weeks after election.

5. What was the main political issue in the Election of 1860?

   Slavery and its expansion into the territories. The central issue dividing North and South in 1860.

6. What was the outcome of the 1860 election for Northern Democrats?

   Douglas won only Missouri. Poor showing despite national Democratic organization.

7. Which candidate represented the Northern Democrats in 1860?

   Stephen A. Douglas. Advocated popular sovereignty on slavery question.

8. What was the main reason Southern states seceded from the Union?

   Perceived threat to slavery. Fear that Republicans would end slavery nationwide.

9. Identify the main advantage of the North in the Civil War.

   Industrial capacity. Manufacturing and railroad infrastructure advantages.

10. Which state was the last to secede from the Union?

    Tennessee. Seceded June 8, 1861, after Fort Sumter.

11. Which state was the first to join the Confederacy?

    South Carolina. First to secede, first to join Confederacy.

12. Which event marked the beginning of the Civil War following secession?

    Attack on Fort Sumter. April 12, 1861, Confederate assault began hostilities.

13. Identify the four border states that remained in the Union.

    Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri. Slave states that remained loyal to the Union.

14. Who were the four main candidates in the Election of 1860?

    Lincoln, Douglas, Breckinridge, Bell. Split Democratic Party created four-way race.

15. Which political party was Abraham Lincoln affiliated with in 1860?

    Republican Party. The anti-slavery expansion party founded in 1854.

16. Which two candidates in 1860 received electoral votes from the border states?

    Bell and Douglas. Moderate candidates won some border state support.

17. What was the main reason for the Constitutional Union Party's formation?

    To avoid secession and conflict. Sought compromise to prevent national division.

18. Which political party did John Bell represent in the 1860 election?

    Constitutional Union Party. Moderate party focused on preserving the Union.

19. What was the capital of the Confederacy after Montgomery?

    Richmond, Virginia. Moved from Montgomery in May 1861.

20. What was the primary economic system of the Southern states?

    Agrarian economy reliant on slavery. Cotton-based system dependent on slave labor.

21. What was the Crittenden Compromise?

    An unsuccessful proposal to prevent secession. Last-ditch effort to preserve Union peacefully.

22. Which amendment was proposed to protect slavery in the South?

    Corwin Amendment. Would have permanently protected slavery constitutionally.

23. How did the election of 1860 influence future political campaigns?

    Demonstrated the impact of regional issues. Showed power of sectional appeals in politics.

24. What document did Southern states use to justify secession?

    Declaration of the Causes of Secession. Formal statements explaining reasons for leaving Union.

25. What was the geographic region of Breckinridge's strongest support?

    Southern states. Carried most Deep South electoral votes.

26. How many states initially formed the Confederate States of America?

    Seven states. Original Confederate states before Fort Sumter.

27. Which region predominantly supported Lincoln in the 1860 election?

    Northern states. Lincoln won virtually all Northern electoral votes.

28. What major issue did the Election of 1860 highlight in U.S. society?

    Deep sectional divisions. Regional voting patterns revealed irreconcilable differences.

29. Which event directly led to the formation of the Confederacy?

    Secession of Southern states. Southern withdrawal from Union created new nation.

30. What was the Southern Democratic candidate's name in 1860?

    John C. Breckinridge. Pro-slavery expansion Southern Democratic nominee.

31. What year did the Election of 1860 take place?

    1860. Presidential election year that triggered secession.

32. What was the result of the 1860 election for Southern states?

    Several Southern states seceded from the Union. Lincoln's victory prompted immediate secession crisis.

33. Identify the first president of the Confederate States of America.

    Jefferson Davis. Former U.S. Senator elected Confederate president.

34. What was the total number of electoral votes won by Lincoln in 1860?

    180 electoral votes. Needed 152 to win; achieved decisive victory.

35. Which candidate won the Election of 1860?

    Abraham Lincoln. Won with plurality, triggering Southern secession.

36. Identify the main consequence of Lincoln's election for the Southern states.

    Secession of Southern states. Southern fear of Republican anti-slavery policies.

37. What was the primary goal of the Constitutional Union Party in 1860?

    To preserve the Union. Moderate party seeking to avoid sectional conflict.

38. What was the primary message of Lincoln's inaugural address?

    Preservation of the Union. Pledged no interference with existing slavery.

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