Question

why was the presidential election of 1860 so contentious?

a.) because the nation and the presidential candidates were greatly divided on the issue of slavery

b.) because voters were enraged by the governments refusal to prosecute john brown

c.) because the south had seceded from the union and the winner would have to unite the country

d.) because all four candidates were from the same political party

Explanation:

Analyze the historical context of the 1860 election

The presidential election of 1860 took place during a period of intense sectional crisis in the United States. The primary source of tension was the institution of slavery, specifically its expansion into newly acquired Western territories.

Evaluate the options

• Option a: This option correctly identifies that the nation and the candidates (Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, John C. Breckinridge, and John Bell) were deeply divided over slavery. The Democratic Party split into Northern and Southern factions, while the Republican Party opposed the expansion of slavery, and the Constitutional Union Party sought to avoid the issue entirely to preserve the Union.
• Option b: This is historically inaccurate. John Brown was captured, tried, convicted of treason, and executed by the state of Virginia in December 1859, prior to the election.
• Option c: This is chronologically incorrect. Southern states did not secede until after Abraham Lincoln won the election of 1860. South Carolina was the first to secede in December 1860, following Lincoln's victory in November.
• Option d: This is incorrect. The four main candidates represented three different political parties: Abraham Lincoln (Republican), Stephen A. Douglas (Northern Democrat), John C. Breckinridge (Southern Democrat), and John Bell (Constitutional Union).

Determine the correct answer

The primary reason the election of 1860 was so contentious was the deep national division over the issue of slavery, making option (a) the correct choice.

Answer:

• a.) Because the nation and the presidential candidates were greatly divided on the issue of slavery (Correct answer)
• b.) Because voters were enraged by the government's refusal to prosecute John Brown
• c.) Because the South had seceded from the Union and the winner would have to unite the country
• d.) Because all four candidates were from the same political party