The 1860 presidential election was a pivotal moment in American history, held on November 6, 1860. It featured four main candidates: Abraham Lincoln of the Republican Party, Stephen A. Douglas of the Northern Democratic Party, John C. Breckinridge of the Southern Democratic Party, and John Bell of the Constitutional Union Party. The election primarily focused on issues like slavery and states' rights, reflecting the deep divisions in the country. Abraham Lincoln won the election with a significant electoral majority, securing 180 out of 303 electoral votes, despite not appearing on the ballot in several Southern states. His victory intensified tensions between the North and South, leading to the secession of several Southern states and the eventual outbreak of the American Civil War.