Who was the Republican candidate in the 1860 presidential election?

Abraham Lincoln was the Republican candidate in the 1860 presidential election, and this selection represented a significant moment in American political history. The Republican Party had emerged in the 1850s, primarily opposing the expansion of slavery into the territories. Lincoln's platform was centered around halting slavery's spread, which resonated with many northern voters who were concerned about the implications of slavery on free labor and the nation’s future.

Lincoln’s nomination was pivotal as it symbolized the regional divisions within the United States concerning slavery. His election subsequently led to intense political and social upheaval, including the secession of several Southern states and the onset of the Civil War. This election is often noted for its four-way contest where other candidates, such as Stephen Douglas and John C. Breckinridge, represented different factions, but it was Lincoln's Republican platform that ultimately galvanized support against the expansion of slavery, leading to his victory.