Below is the result of the 1860 election. As you can see, the Democrats were split between the Northern Democrats, who nominated Stephen Douglas, and the Southern Democrats, who nominated John Breckenridge. read more
So essentially, the reason on why the Republicans won.1 The Democrats were split, and had further votes siphoned off with the Constitutional Union Party. The Republicans managed to hold onto their Northern coalition, preventing an electoral deadlock. read more
In the election of 1860 the Democratic Party was split between 3 different candidates; Stephen Douglas, John Bell, and John Breckinridge. Douglas and Bell split the border states, while Breckinridge took the Deep South. read more
The Republican Party was created in 1854, and Lincoln was only its second presidential candidate. Lincoln won in 1860 because the Democratic Party split. read more