American election campaigns evolved throughout the 19th century as more states were added to the union, the electoral college changed according to increases in population, and advances in media allowed for new avenues for candidates to spread their messages, and attack the other candidate.
The 19th century saw some of the most pivotal events in American political history: the American Civil War, the election and assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, the Emancipation Proclamation. The century also saw the establishment of the modern Democratic and Republican parties.