John C. Breckinridge

Definition

John C. Breckinridge was an American politician who served as the 14th Vice President of the United States under President James Buchanan. He later became the presidential nominee for the Southern Democratic Party in the 1860 election, representing the interests of the Southern slave-holding states.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Breckinridge was a prominent Democratic politician from Kentucky, known for his staunch defense of slavery and states' rights.
2. As the Southern Democratic nominee in 1860, Breckinridge's campaign focused on preserving the institution of slavery and opposing the policies of the Republican Party.
3. Breckinridge's candidacy split the Democratic Party, leading to the election of Republican Abraham Lincoln and the subsequent secession of several Southern states.
4. After the outbreak of the Civil War, Breckinridge joined the Confederate Army and served as a general, eventually becoming the Confederate Secretary of War.
5. Breckinridge's political career and support for the Confederacy made him a controversial figure, with his actions contributing to the growing divide between the North and South in the years leading up to the Civil War.

Review Questions

• Describe Breckinridge's role in the 1860 presidential election and how it contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War.
  • Breckinridge's candidacy as the Southern Democratic nominee in the 1860 presidential election was a key factor in the growing divide between the North and South. His campaign focused on preserving the institution of slavery and opposing the policies of the Republican Party, which was seen as a threat to the interests of the slave-holding states. Breckinridge's nomination split the Democratic Party, leading to the election of Republican Abraham Lincoln. This, in turn, prompted several Southern states to secede from the Union, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of the Civil War.
• Analyze Breckinridge's political views and how they aligned with the interests of the Southern slave-holding states.
  • Breckinridge was a staunch defender of slavery and states' rights, aligning him with the interests of the Southern slave-holding states. He opposed the policies of the Republican Party, which sought to limit the expansion of slavery and strengthen the federal government's power. Breckinridge's political views and actions, such as his candidacy in the 1860 election and his later support for the Confederacy, were instrumental in the growing divide between the North and South, setting the stage for the outbreak of the Civil War.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of Breckinridge's political career and his role in the events leading up to the Civil War.
  • Breckinridge's political career and actions had significant long-term consequences for the United States. His unwavering support for the institution of slavery and the rights of the Southern states contributed to the growing tensions between the North and South, ultimately leading to the outbreak of the Civil War. Breckinridge's candidacy in the 1860 election and his later support for the Confederacy cemented his legacy as a divisive figure, whose actions played a crucial role in the events that led to one of the most significant and devastating conflicts in American history. The lasting impact of Breckinridge's political legacy continues to be debated and studied by historians, as they explore the complex social, economic, and political factors that contributed to the Civil War.

Related terms

Southern Democratic Party:

A political party that emerged in the 1850s and 1860s, representing the interests of the Southern slave-holding states and opposing the policies of the Republican Party.

Secession:

The act of a state or region formally withdrawing from a larger political union, such as the United States.

Compromise of 1850:

A series of legislative measures passed by the U.S. Congress in 1850 that attempted to resolve disputes between the Northern and Southern states over the issue of slavery.