How did the Southern states' presidential campaign in 1860 differ from the North's?

The Southern states' presidential campaign in 1860 was characterized by a fractured voting situation among multiple candidates. This fragmentation was a result of the emergence of several factions within the Democratic Party and the rise of new parties that represented different interests and viewpoints, especially regarding the issue of slavery.

In the South, rather than rallying behind a single nominee, voters had to choose between three significant candidates: Stephen A. Douglas (Northern Democrats), John C. Breckinridge (Southern Democrats), and the Constitutional Union candidate, John Bell. This situation led to divided loyalties and significantly diluted the voting power of pro-slavery advocates in the South. The lack of a unified candidate meant that the South was unable to consolidate its electoral strength effectively against their opponents in the North.

In contrast, the North tended to unify behind Abraham Lincoln, who gained widespread support among Republicans as a candidate opposing the expansion of slavery into the territories. This clear division in support illustrated the deep political and ideological rifts that existed between the North and the South at the time.