Question

Was it possible to save American democracy in 1860? What steps might have been taken to maintain unity? Why do you think these steps were not taken?

Answer 1

Answer.

The election of 1860 triggered the collapse of American democracy when the elevation of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency inspired secessionists in the South to withdraw their states from the Union. Intra group Rifts split the Democrats into northern and southern factions each with their own set of candidates to promote the part ideology either in favour or against slavery. This gave a boon to the Republican candidate Lincoln and election triggered the downfall of the American experiment with democracy as southern states began to disintegrate from the Union. This lead to the constitution of the Confederacy of States which emphasised on continuation of slavery and greater independence to the states in public administration. However, soon the Confederates declared war against the northern states which became th3 beginning ground for the American Civil War.

While it may seem that the fragmentstion of the American political system could have been avoided by negotiations between the abolitionists and the Republicans, the more graver issue was regarding the extension of suffrage and the scope of the federal government. The latter issues reja8ned a bone of contention and posed a challenge to any unification.

The easiest way of solving this problem would have been to extend the suffrage to the freedmen. But Popular prejudice was too strong even in the North and many doubted the feasibility of enfranchising newly liberated slaves.