Changes

The election centered on sectionalism and slavery, with each candidate doing little more than fanning the fears of the voters; Douglas would be the only one to travel the country personally, including all Southern states, but the split within his party is too great to make a difference.  Lincoln went on to win the election, with 180 electoral votes, and 40% of the popular votes, none of which included a Southern state.  Breckenridge placed second, winning 72 electoral votes, and 24% of the popular vote.  John C. Bell, a candidate for the Constitutional Union Party (made up of former Whigs and former members of a nativist American party derisively called "Know Nothings"), took the states of Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee.  Last was Douglas, barely managing Missouri, and three out of seven electoral votes from New Jersey.  Southern leaders speak openly about secession within days of Lincoln's victory. (Bowen, pg 40; Nat. Atlas)

The election centered on sectionalism and slavery, with each candidate doing little more than fanning the fears of the voters; Douglas would be the only one to travel the country personally, including all Southern states, but the split within his party is too great to make a difference.  Lincoln went on to win the election, with 180 electoral votes, and 40% of the popular votes, none of which included a Southern state.  Breckenridge placed second, winning 72 electoral votes, and 24% of the popular vote.  John C. Bell, a candidate for the Constitutional Union Party (made up of former Whigs and former members of a nativist American party derisively called "Know Nothings"), took the states of Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee.  Last was Douglas, barely managing Missouri, and three out of seven electoral votes from New Jersey.  Southern leaders speak openly about secession within days of Lincoln's victory. (Bowen, pg 40; Nat. Atlas)

==1861==

==Post-election crisis==

By December of 1860, both houses of Congress are working on proposals for compromises that would postpone the split they knew was coming.  John J. Crittenden of the Senate committee introduces a proposal that would restore the Missouri Compromise by extending the northern boundary line across the continent to the Pacific, intending that it would last for all time. Crittenden's proposal, as well as the others, came down to a vote, but events indicated it was too late.  Most of President Buchanan's cabinent, long angered at him (and his predecessor, Democrat Franklin Pierce) for not standing up to Southern demands which were tearing the country apart, walked out in protest; the latest outrage occurred when a delegation from South Carolina arrived at the White House and demanded the removal of Federal troops from the state.  Buchanan rejects it. South Carolina holds a convention on secession.  And President-elect Lincoln, although trying to be careful regarding the slavery issue, is insistent that slavery not be expanded into the territories. (Bowen, pg. 41)

By December of 1860, both houses of Congress are working on proposals for compromises that would postpone the split they knew was coming.  John J. Crittenden of the Senate committee introduces a proposal that would restore the Missouri Compromise by extending the northern boundary line across the continent to the Pacific, intending that it would last for all time. Crittenden's proposal, as well as the others, came down to a vote, but events indicated it was too late.  Most of President Buchanan's cabinent, long angered at him (and his predecessor, Democrat Franklin Pierce) for not standing up to Southern demands which were tearing the country apart, walked out in protest; the latest outrage occurred when a delegation from South Carolina arrived at the White House and demanded the removal of Federal troops from the state.  Buchanan rejects it. South Carolina holds a convention on secession.  And President-elect Lincoln, although trying to be careful regarding the slavery issue, is insistent that slavery not be expanded into the territories. (Bowen, pg. 41)