The presidential election of 1860 was one of the most pivotal in American history.

The central issue of the election was the expansion of slavery into the western territories.

The newly formed Republican Party nominated Abraham Lincoln on a platform that opposed the extension of slavery.

The Democratic Party split into Northern and Southern factions over the issue of slavery, dividing their vote.

Lincoln won the presidency by carrying all of the free states in the North, but without winning a single state in the South.

He won the electoral college but only received about 40% of the popular vote.

The South viewed Lincoln's election as a direct threat to the institution of slavery and their way of life.

In response to the election, South Carolina seceded from the Union in December 1860.

Six other Deep South states followed suit before Lincoln was even inaugurated.

Lincoln's election was the immediate catalyst for the secession of the Southern states and the outbreak of the American Civil War.