The 36th Congress of the United States convened from December 1860 to March 1861, during a critical period leading up to the American Civil War. It was marked by intense debates over issues such as slavery, states' rights, and the secession of Southern states. This Congress was notable for its divided membership, with many representatives from the Southern states either absent or having left to join the Confederacy. The Republican Party, led by President Abraham Lincoln, sought to prevent the expansion of slavery, while the Democratic Party was split between Northern and Southern factions, complicating legislative efforts.