Southern Democrats wanted their party to uphold the Dred Scott decision and defend slaveholders' rights in the territories.
During the election of 1860, the Democratic Party split into the Northern Democrats, who nominated Stephen Douglas, and the Southern Democrats, who nominated John C. Breckinridge.
During this election, many former Whigs and others were alarmed at the prospect of Southern secession. They created a new party, the Constitutional Union Party, and chose former Tennessee senator John Bell to run for president. The party took no position on issues dividing North and South. Their purpose, they said, was to uphold the Constitution and the Union.
The Democrats Split
John C. Breckinridge
Stephen Douglas
Southern Democrats wanted their party to uphold the Dred Scott decision and defend slaveholders' rights in the territories.During the election of 1860, the Democratic Party split into the Northern Democrats, who nominated Stephen Douglas, and the Southern Democrats, who nominated John C. Breckinridge.
During this election, many former Whigs and others were alarmed at the prospect of Southern secession. They created a new party, the Constitutional Union Party, and chose former Tennessee senator John Bell to run for president. The party took no position on issues dividing North and South. Their purpose, they said, was to uphold the Constitution and the Union.