Section #1 - The Congressmen Who Built Then Broke The Union
Chapter 88: James Buchanan wins the 1856 Presidential election.
Thurlow Weed’s prediction that the Republicans are not yet ready to win the presidency in 1856 proves correct as James Buchanan is elected, albeit with only 45% of the popular vote.
The Presidential Election of 1852
| Popular Votes | James Buchanan | John Fremont | Millard Fillmore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number | 1,836,072 | 1,342,345 | 873,053 |
| % of total | 45.30% | 33.10% | 21.50% |
| Electoral Votes | |||
| Number | 174 | 114 | 8 |
| % of total | 58.80% | 38.50% | 2.70% |
He nearly sweeps the Slave States with a 112-8 margin in Electoral Votes and tacks on wins in the North in his home state of Pennsylvania, along with New Jersey, Indiana, Illinois and California. Fremont is left with an edge of 76-34 in the North and 38-28 in the West, while the third party candidate, Know Nothing Fillmore, takes only one state, Maryland.
The Democrats also fare well in the House winning 113 of the 237 (56%) seats, while holding a 34 to 54 (63%) in the Senate.