Apush Dbq Research Paper

Words: 1961
Pages: 8

During the nineteenth century, the United States was facing domestic issues that pitted the states against one another. The country was divided into the north and the south. The north represented those who were in opposition to the spread of slavery, for the expansion of industrialization and modernized thinking. The southern states exemplified the rights of states, the continuation of the institution of slavery and the agricultural route. These differences in lifestyle and way of thinking drew the distinct line between the two regions when it came to making political decisions that affected the nation as a whole. The debate over slavery and state’s right were one of the major components to government decisions that shaped the country leading …show more content…
Breckinridge represented one of the new southern candidates that were involved in this election. It could be debated that Breckinridge was Lincoln’s biggest competitor. He was democrat hailing from Kentucky with an extensive legal and political career there. He also had a military career which made him more appealing to southern voters. One obstacle that was influential on his campaigning process was the split ballot between himself, and the other democratic candidate, Stephen Douglas. It was pertinent that Breckinridge separate himself from not only Douglas, but all three candidates in this race to ensure the presidency. In order to do so, Breckinridge stated in a campaign speech in Lexington, Kentucky, he said “It is said I was not regularly nominated, and that an eminent citizen of Illinois was regularly nominated for the Presidency; but that is a question I have not time to discuss to-day, and it has already been thoroughly exhibited and discoursed upon before the people”. By saying this, he puts a negative spin on both Lincoln and Douglas who hail from the state of Illinois. A part of his platform consists of not being the average candidate, because he is not one of the usual nominees. For example, he does not engage in regular political practices that people running for office participate in. Those practices include soliciting support orally or through written letters, or pushing his nomination forward. This is could be referenced to be similar to a modern day campaign slogan; not your average