ch. 9: Old Abe is Elected!

summary: Comparisons of the 1856 and 1860 electoral maps show what Lincoln had to do to win. In 1856, Republican candidate John C. Fremont (red states) did surprisingly well by gathered 114 electoral votes. But Lincoln would need more--152 to be exact.

It was Illinois, Indiana, and Pennsylvania that the Republicans hoped to gain. That would give Lincoln the majority. And as you can see, Lincoln won those states as well as California, Minnesota , and Oregon.


But it still wasn't easy. No Southern state voted for Lincoln, he wasn't even on the ballot in most of those states. And if the Democratic party has not split and nominated Northern and Southern candidates (Douglas and Breckenridge)--the contest might have been even closer.

Lincoln won with only 40% of the national popular vote. But demographics had really done it for him. The nation was moving North and West and the congressional population numbers, by 1860, had finally gone against the South. For over 70 years, the South had controlled the government because the population had been in their favor. That had now ended.

But instead of accepting their democratic fate, the Southerners decided to leave the Union. This is what the president-elect would have to deal with in March 1861 at his inauguration.

ch.8: Lincoln is Nominated

summary: It would be an understatement to say that things went well for Lincoln in Chicago. He needed some luck, and he got it. He needed his opponents to slip, and they did. Bates, Seward, and Chase had all made enemies in the past, and some of those political fights came back to haunt them at the Wigwam. Lincoln, on the other hand, had situated himself well to be everyone’s second-choice. And it was a brilliant strategy. If one of the leading contenders faltered—even slightly—Lincoln and his managers were ready to take the nomination.

One of the most interesting historical aspects of the 1860 Republican convention is whether Lincoln promised anything for the support of some state leaders. It is clear that Lincoln’s Chicago managers wanted to offer cabinet posts in exchange for delegates in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. But apparently, when telegraphed about this Lincoln replied, “Make no contracts that will bind me.” But did David Davis (shown in picture) and his other managers listen? Davis supposedly said, “Lincoln ain’t here, and don’t know what we have to meet, so we will go ahead, as if we hadn’t heard from him, and he must ratify it.” This may be how Pennsylvanian Simon Cameron made his way into Lincoln’s cabinet.

A Kearns quote near the end of this chapter is probably one of the most vivid and accurate compliments of Lincoln: “In his years of travel on the circuit through central Illinois, engaging people in taverns, on street corners, and in shops, Lincoln had developed a keen sense of what people felt, thought, needed, and wanted.”

ch.7: Countdown to the Nomination

summary: Lincoln was indeed a “dark horse” candidate in 1860, but actually winning the nomination was not an impossibility. He had an outside chance from the beginning if he and his lieutenants did everything well (which they did). Lincoln also had to hope that his rivals made mistakes—which they all did. So Lincoln was lucky to a certain extent. But more importantly, he made the necessary political sacrifices to place himself in a position to succeed if and when Seward and Chase failed:
-He gave speeches whenever and wherever he was asked: Cooper Union in New York City was his best political move.
-He organized well with a stellar political staff.
-He positioned himself as everyone’s second choice so if Seward did falter, he would be there as a viable alternative.
-Chicago was chosen as the convention site. Some luck was involved, but it was stroke of genius by the Lincoln operates to push for the Windy City.

Discussion Questions
1. Think about what Seward, Chase, and Bates did wrong leading up to the 1860 nomination. All three candidates made both large and small mistakes while Lincoln kept forging ahead with a clear plan of action.

2. How does what you know about Lincoln’s character help explain his steady rise to the nomination?

3. Think about Lincoln as a shrewd and crafty politician. Some books refuse to acknowledge his political brilliance thinking it will overshadow his compassion and leadership traits. Was he a shrewd and crafty politician and should we acknowledge that trait? Why or why not?

Cooper Union Links
"The Speech That Made Lincoln President"

Text of the Cooper Union Speech