What impact did the split in the Democratic party have on the Election of 1860?

The split in the Democratic Party significantly impacted the Election of 1860 by allowing a Republican victory without needing Southern support. The Democrats were divided between the Northern Democrats, who supported Stephen A. Douglas, and Southern Democrats, who backed John C. Breckinridge. This division weakened the party overall and fragmented the vote, whereas the Republicans, under Abraham Lincoln, were able to consolidate their support among Northerners who opposed the expansion of slavery.

As a result, Lincoln secured a victory with a plurality of electoral votes, despite not winning any Southern states. The division within the Democratic Party meant that the votes were split between different Democratic candidates, enabling Lincoln to win the presidency with a minority of the overall popular vote. The context of this election highlighted the deepening sectional divides in the country, ultimately leading to heightened tensions and the eventual outbreak of the Civil War.