The 1860 election demonstrated a significant shift in American political alignments primarily because:
It marked the first time a third-party candidate won the presidency
It showed Northern states rejecting Republican economic policies
It resulted in Democrats gaining control of both houses of Congress
It revealed a nation divided along sectional rather than party lines
Verified for the 2025 AP US History exam•Citation:
Halfway there! In this session, we’re reviewing everything from Columbus to the Civil War.