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The Democratic party had been one of the two major political parties of the time, along with the Republican Party. However, the issues of slavery weren't only affecting the tension and division of the nation as a whole but also affecting the political parties, as Northern and Southern democrats couldn't agree on the issue of slavery. Southern democrats were pro-slavery and wanted the expansion of slavery in western territories, whereas the Northern democrats believed in solving the issue with popular sovereignty. This caused the party to split into two, hence, the two democratic candidates.

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Wanted to spread peace,  and compromise

Moderates on slavery, although they had no definitive stance on the issue

Wanted the union of the states

Focused on upholding the constitution and enforcing laws

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Opposed creating a federal slave code

Believed in popular sovereignty deciding the issue of slavery in western territories

Called for the construction of the Pacific Railroad (transcontinental railroad)

They will obey and respect decisions of the supreme court on constitutional law

The U.S has a duty to protect all citizens whether they are foreign or native

States should enforce the Fugitive Slave Act

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Southern Democratic Candidate: John C. Breckinridge

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Southern Democratic Candidate: John C. Breckinridge

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Wanted the right to own slaves and for it to be protected in territories via a federal slave code.

If/When a territory became a state, settlers could make their stance on slavery.

Campaign: gave a speech (his only speech) where he addressed that he has never said or done anything to suggest he is sympathetic to emancipation

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Northern Democratic Candidate: Stephen A.  Douglas   

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Northern Democratic Candidate: Stephen A.  Douglas   

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Adhered to the idea of popular sovereignty, and that the people should decide about slavery without a federal slave code.

Campaign: after debated with Abraham Lincoln, he found himself being vilified by Southern Democrats because he simply wanted to preserve the Union and danced around slavery.

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Fun fact! Lincoln may have "freed the slaves' but he was not pro black! Nor was he an abolitionist!

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Fun fact! Lincoln may have "freed the slaves' but he was not pro black! Nor was he an abolitionist!

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in 1858, during a debate with Stephen Douglas, Lincoln made his stance clear by saying, “I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and Black races,”. In short, he wanted peace, and African Americans to improve their conditions in society, but they shouldn't be allowed to vote, have interracial marriages, serve on juries, or hold office. America is fun.

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Abraham Lincoln won the presidential election of 1860, however this was largely due to geography. For example, Lincoln was not on the ballot in Southern States, and people living in territories were unable to vote. The original 13 states controlled less than 50% of the electoral vote, leading to Lincoln's win- although he became the first president to be elected with less than 50% of the vote. At his inauguration, Lincoln spoke against war, but unfortunately, that was not the outcome we know of.

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Were pro-slavery and its expansion to western territories

Believed in creating and enforcing a federal slave code

The U.S should protect native born and naturalized citizens

Called for the construction of the Pacific Railroad (transcontinental railroad)

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Opposed to the expansion of slavery in Western territories

In favor of immigration and full rights to immigrant citizens

Believed in improvements in transportation (internal improvements) for economic gain and to better industrialize

Wanted the preservation of the Union

Called for the construction of the Pacific Railroad (transcontinental railroad)

States are to control their own governments how they choose to allow a balance in power between state and federal governments

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Constitutional Union Party Candidate: John Bell  

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Constitutional Union Party Candidate: John Bell  

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Believed in protecting slavery as it states in the Constitution, but also wanted to prevent the spread of it, and wanted peace in the Union.

Campaign: tried to appeal to all moderates in different parties

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Republican Party Candidate: Abraham Lincoln 

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Republican Party Candidate: Abraham Lincoln 

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Wished to STOP slavery in states.

Former whig party member.

Campaign: he travelled seeking the support of other Republicans. He held an advantage because he was no longer in office for the Senate.