In the span of about five years our nation went from being two sections of a great country, unified under one form of government to two separate entities, each trying to achieve their higher goals. The Union still active as the United States of America was looking to suppress a rebellion, which consumed almost half of the former country. The Confederate States of America was a new country forming out of states that seceded from the USA. It would try desperately for four years to gain legitimacy. The politics of the country played a very important part in this conflict. The outcomes of the elections during this time period could mean the life or death of democracy itself. .
It was time again for a presidential election. After years of holding the presidency as well as many of the congressional seats the Democrats saw a swing to a new party. The Republican Party, whose strength was rapidly growing in the North, had slowly infiltrated national politics. This grassroots movement was spreading like wildfire. After the split in the Democratic Party, the Republicans gained support from those who were tired of being pushed around by their southern brethren. Crisis after crisis was diverted to help preserve the Union. The election of a Republican candidate to the presidency would set in to motion a whirlwind of events that would forever change our nation. .
The National Democratic Nominating Convention of 1860 convened in Charleston, South Carolina. Many northern democrats were weary of having their convention in one of the most pro-secessionist cities in the entire south. Stephen Douglass was the primary candidate for the democrats. Douglass apposing the federal slave codes kept much of the South from backing his nomination. Former Representative William Yancey of Alabama, former Senator Robert Barnwell Rhett of South Carolina, and Senator Robert Toombs of Georgia helped to stage a walk out after the party plank apposing the federal slave code for the territories was adopted.