“The presidential election of 1860 demonstrated that neither the Democratic nor the Republican Party could unify the country.” Discuss.

Candidates will consider the merits or otherwise of the stated theory by offering a considered and balanced review of the political parties, candidates and platforms of the 1860 election. Focus must be on how these elements of the 1860 election affected national unity, rather than on the broad background of Civil War causes. Issues that may be discussed are the sectional nature of the party platforms, the division of the Democratic Party, and the issue of slavery expansion in the western territories and Cuba as a divisive factor in the election. There may also be discussion of the impact of third party movements, the potential for electoral success by the Republican Party by appealing to the interests of the North and the West only, and the various, often faulty, public perceptions of the major candidates, especially Lincoln (note the threats of secession if Lincoln were elected).