Students learn about the election of 1860 and how it represented the Union divided over many issues, including slavery. Then, students learn about the immediate reaction of the southern states to the election of Abraham Lincoln and the secession of seven states from the Union. Finally, students evaluate a political cartoon and explain how it represents sectionalism during the presidential election of 1860.
Students read an overview of how the election of 1860 highlighted sectional divisions over slavery and led to four different presidential candidates. They examine an election map titled “Election Map, 1860” and respond to a collaborative wall prompt explaining what conclusions they can draw from the map about the election results.
Teacher MovesDiscuss the election map with students, prompting them to notice regional voting patterns (for example, Lincoln’s support in northern and western states, Breckinridge’s support in the South, and Douglas’s and Bell’s support in the mid-Atlantic). Emphasize that Lincoln won the presidency with only 40% of the popular vote but a majority of electoral votes, and preview that students will explore how sectional differences and this election contributed to southern secession.
Students view images of the four major candidates—Abraham Lincoln, John C. Breckinridge, Stephen A. Douglas, and John Bell—and read background text explaining how party divisions produced four contenders in 1860. Using The Election of 1860 and 1860 Election Results A Four War Race, they investigate each candidate’s party and stance on slavery, then complete a graphic organizer by listing each candidate and party in one column and summarizing that party’s platform on slavery in the other column.
Teacher MovesUse student responses in the graphic organizer to identify understandings and misconceptions, and to guide follow-up discussion.
Students examine a map titled “Secession 1860–1861” and read text describing Lincoln’s electoral victory and the rapid secession of South Carolina and six additional states that formed the Confederate States of America. Using The South Secedes and The Election of 1860 And Secession, they learn more about why southern states left the Union and post their responses to a wall prompt explaining what President Buchanan and President Lincoln did when the southern states seceded.
Teacher MovesInvite students to share their wall responses, then clarify that Buchanan believed secession was illegal but chose not to use force, while Lincoln unsuccessfully urged southern states to return to the Union. Explain that some members of Congress proposed the Corwin Amendment to protect slavery, but it failed, underscoring the deepening crisis.
Students closely examine a political cartoon titled “Dividing the Nation” that depicts the four 1860 candidates. They consider how each party and candidate is represented and what each is doing in the image, then respond to a wall prompt describing how the cartoon represents the impact of sectionalism in the election of 1860.
Teacher MovesHighlight exemplary student responses and guide a brief analysis of the cartoon, noting that the candidates are shown tearing apart a map of the United States while John Bell attempts to repair part of it with glue, illustrating how sectional divisions threatened to pull the nation apart.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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