Why did the Democrats fail to win the 1860 election?
2 Answers
They were split on the issue of slavery and two candidates ran.
Explanation:
Breckinridge and Douglas both ran for the Democratic Party because they disagreed on slavery, it is what made Lincoln's victory possible.
More details:http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/abraham-lincoln-elected-president
The Democratic Party split on a sectional basis.
Explanation:
The Democratic Party split between North and South on the issue of slavery.
Northern: Stephen Douglass *Illinois senator who supported the idea of popular sovereignty - people could decide whether the state they were living in should allow slavery. *
Southern: John C. Breckinridge Vice President under President James Buchanan, a Southerner and unequivocal supporter of slavery.
Because the Democratic party was split, Lincoln; the Republican candidate was able to win the election.
Here is how the states broke down for the candidates:
