Today in History—November 6: Lincoln’s Unlikely Presidential Victory

On this day in 1860, Americans voted in arguably the most consequential presidential election in U.S. history. The winner was Abraham Lincoln. And the country would never be the same. He saved the Union, helped end slavery, and is regarded as one of the country’s greatest.

But it almost didn’t happen.

First he had to secure the Republican nomination. And that seemed unlikely. As the year opened, Lincoln was little known outside Illinois. He had served one undistinguished term in the House of Representatives and lost two bids for the Senate. But he had a plan.

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In February Lincoln gave a speech at Cooper Union in New York City. It was an eloquent defense of his party’s opposition to the expansion of slavery, and it led to other speaking engagements. He also published his senatorial debates with Stephen A. Douglas.

Lincoln began gaining national attention.

When the Republican National Convention opened in May, however, the front-runner was William H. Seward. But Seward’s antislavery views were seen as radical, and he had made numerous political enemies.

Luckily for Lincoln, the convention was held in Chicago. His political strategists packed the convention hall with his supporters, even passing out counterfeit tickets. As Seward failed to secure a majority on the first two ballots, Lincoln’s team worked behind the scenes.

On the third ballot, Lincoln won the nomination.

It was on to the general election. The Democratic Party had splintered: Northern members backed Douglas, while Southern Democrats endorsed John C. Breckinridge. Nearly 4.7 million Americans cast their ballots. Lincoln received just 40 percent of the vote—and Douglas and Breckinridge combined for nearly 48 percent. But thanks to his support in the North, Lincoln won the most Electoral College votes, 180.

While Lincoln was victorious, one more obstacle remained. There were concerns about the counting of the electoral votes in Congress. U.S. Gen. Winfield Scott promised that anyone who tried to “obstruct or interfere” would be “lashed to the muzzle of a twelve-pounder and fired out of a window of the Capitol.” Luckily, no cannons were needed. On February 13, 1861, more than three months after the election, Lincoln was officially declared the winner. He took office the following month. And the American Civil War began on April 12.