Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Election of 1860
The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 was a watershed moment for the union of the country. Read about the political conventions, several candidates, and the votes that were split among them. Find a map that shows how the electoral...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1844 1877: Election of 1860 and Secession
A quick comprehension check over the election of 1860 and secession.
Read Works
Read Works: Slavery, Civil War & Reconstruction Election of 1860 and Lincoln
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
American Presidency Project
American Presidency Project: Election of 1860
Online resource that provides detailed data for the presidential election of 1860 won by Republican candidate, Abraham Lincoln.
Digital History
Digital History: The Civil War Begins [Pdf]
The election of 1860 showed the deep divisions that split the country. With four candidates representing four very different approaches to the issue of slavery, the outcome resulted in the secession of South Carolina, followed eventually...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Lincoln Douglas Debates
The Lincoln-Douglas debates in 1858 exemplified the rift in the nation concerning the issue of slavery and who should be able to determine whether states were free or slave. Read about this war of ideas that moved from the stage in...
Harp Week
The End of Slavery: The Creation of the 13th Amendment
What a wonderful resource for researching the attempts to solve the issue of slavery prior to the Civil War, and the eventual ratification of the 13th Amendment. Find a timeline of legislation limiting the spread of slavery from 1787...
The History Cat
The History Cat: Us History: Election of 1860: Lincoln Elected
Looks at the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and the divisions between North and South that resulted. Shortly after the election, a group of Southern states seceded and formed the Confederate States of America. The animosity between...
Harp Week
Harp Week: Elections: 1860 Lincoln v. Douglas v. Breckenridge v. Bell
From the state of the nation leading up to the 1860's, the conventions, campaigns, and results find information about the Presidential Election of 1860.
US Department of State
Bureau of International Information Programs: History Outline: Sectionalism
Article reviews several conditions of American society that sowed the seeds of civil war, particularly slavery and sectional conflict.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Price of Freedom: 1860 Campaign Ribbon
View a photo a 1860 Campaign Ribbon and read a brief description of the contentious election of 1860. Displayed in the National Museum of American History.
American Battlefield Trust
American Battlefield Trust: Civil War: Trigger Events of the Civil War
A list with descriptions of the major events that led up to the outbreak of the Civil War.
Lone Star Junction
Lone Star Junction: Texas Ordinance of Secession (February 2, 1861)
This site gives the text of the Texas Ordinance of Secession after the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. It gives the reasons Texas secedes from the Union. See the parallels to the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission
Explore Pa History: Pennsylvania Democrats
A good look at the views of the Democratic Party in Pennsylvania just prior to and during the Civil War. Read about Democratic president from Pennsylvania, James Buchanan, and his views about the importance of slavery in the national...
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Causes of the Civil War
Through a comprehensive powerpoint presentation, students will learn details of the five main causes of the Civil War in the United States.
Other
Vox: 37 Maps That Explain the American Civil War
April 1865 was a momentous month in American history. On April 9, the Confederate army under Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union forces of Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the Civil War. Then on April 14, the victorious President...
270 To Win
270towin: 1860 Presidential Election
Provides detailed electoral facts for the presidential election of 1860 won by Abraham Lincoln, setting the stage for the American Civil War.
Other
Causes of the Civil War: A North Georgia Perspective
Read about the causes of the Civil War from a southern perspective.
Harp Week
Harp Week: 1860 Lincoln v. Douglas v. Breckinridge v. Bell
An impressive collection of campaign banners from the 1860 Presidential election.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The South Secedes
South Carolina was the first to secede upon the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. Read about the secession of more states, the election of a president of the new Confederate States of America, and a last ditch effort to save the union.
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: The Mask of Lincoln: Stephen A. Douglas
A captioned portrait of Stephen Douglas encapsulates his political career and reputation in a few short paragraphs.
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: History Now: Examining Antebellum Elections
[Free Registration/Login Required] This high school lesson plan has students look at data from the elections between 1824-1861 and the effect the two party system had on the outcomes.
Tom Richey
Tom Richey: The Civil War and Reconstruction (1861 1877)
The election of 1860 sparked the secession of the southern states. This group of states formed the Confederacy while the northern states to be named the Union. This unit will examine in detail the events which then led to the Civil War...
University of Chicago
Special Collections Library: Stephen A. Douglas and the American Union
Provides information about the Great Debate between Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln.