key term - John C. Breckinridge

Definition

John C. Breckinridge was a prominent American politician and Confederate general who served as the 14th Vice President of the United States from 1857 to 1861. He became a key figure in the Election of 1860, representing the Southern Democratic Party, and his candidacy symbolized the deep divisions over slavery that ultimately led to secession and the Civil War.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Breckinridge was a former U.S. Senator from Kentucky and became Vice President under James Buchanan before running for president in 1860.
2. He represented the Southern Democrats during the Election of 1860, advocating for the protection of slavery in the territories.
3. In the Election of 1860, Breckinridge received about 18% of the popular vote but won most of the Southern electoral votes.
4. His candidacy was a direct response to the split in the Democratic Party, which occurred over disagreements on slavery and states' rights.
5. Following Lincoln's election, Breckinridge became a major general in the Confederate Army, serving during significant battles such as Shiloh and Vicksburg.

Review Questions

• How did John C. Breckinridge's candidacy in the Election of 1860 reflect the divisions within the Democratic Party?
  • Breckinridge's candidacy illustrated the fractures within the Democratic Party over slavery and its expansion into new territories. The party split into Northern and Southern factions, with Breckinridge representing those who favored pro-slavery policies. This division weakened their overall chances against Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln and highlighted how contentious the issue of slavery had become in American politics.
• Analyze Breckinridge's impact on the secession movement following the Election of 1860.
  • Breckinridge's strong support for Southern rights and his role as a leader among Southern Democrats contributed to growing tensions after Lincoln's election. His platform advocated for slavery's protection, resonating with many Southerners who felt threatened by Lincoln's anti-slavery stance. As a result, Breckinridge's influence helped galvanize pro-secession sentiment in Southern states, leading many to feel justified in breaking away from the Union.
• Evaluate how John C. Breckinridge's political career exemplified the shifting dynamics of American politics during the lead-up to the Civil War.
  • Breckinridge's career exemplified the shifting dynamics by illustrating how politicians navigated an increasingly polarized political landscape. His transition from Vice President to a key Confederate general reflected a broader trend where loyalty to regional interests began to overshadow national unity. As debates intensified over slavery and states' rights, Breckinridge became a symbol of Southern resistance against Northern policies, showcasing how personal ambition was intertwined with deepening sectional conflicts that ultimately erupted into civil war.

Related terms

Southern Democrats:

A faction of the Democratic Party that emerged in the 1860 election, supporting pro-slavery policies and advocating for the rights of slaveholders.

Secession:

The act of withdrawing formally from an organization, union, or political entity; notably, the Southern states' withdrawal from the Union after the Election of 1860.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates:

A series of seven debates in 1858 between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas focusing on issues of slavery and its expansion, which set the stage for the political landscape leading up to the Election of 1860.