Chapter 18: A Schism Splits the Democrats into Two Wings

Douglas’ hopes to win the presidential nomination are shattered when Southern delegates turn on him at the April, 1860 convention. Efforts to restore unity fail with the result being two separate tickets: the Northern Democrats sticking with Douglas; the new Southern Democrats behind sitting VP, John Breckinridge.

When a fourth party, the Constitutional Unionist, enter behind Tennessee’s John Bell, a Republican victory in the general election is almost a certainty.