It probably would have made a huge difference. None of the Southern states would have been as quick to secede - more likely, they would have taken a “wait and see” approach. read more
In the general election in November 1860, Bell received 592,906 popular votes (13% of the total; 39% of Southern popular votes) and won 39 electoral votes (13%). read more
United States presidential election of 1860, American presidential election held on Nov. 6, 1860, in which Republican Abraham Lincoln defeated Southern Democrat John C. Breckinridge, Democrat Stephen A. Douglas, and Constitutional Union candidate John Bell. read more