In 1860, Abraham Lincoln became the first elected Republican without winning a single southern state. Which party did Lincoln represent?

In 1860, Abraham Lincoln became the first elected Republican without winning a single southern state. Which party did Lincoln represent?

• A. Democratic
• B. Whig
• C. Federalist
• D. Republican

Answer: (D)

Abraham Lincoln ran for president as a Republican. The Republican Party formed in the 1850s to oppose the expansion of slavery into new territories, and by 1860 it had become the main anti-slavery party in the North and West. Because the Democratic vote was split at the time, Lincoln could win the presidency without carrying any Southern states. The other parties listed—Whig and Federalist—had faded away long before, and Lincoln was not a Democrat.

Abraham Lincoln ran for president as a Republican. The Republican Party formed in the 1850s to oppose the expansion of slavery into new territories, and by 1860 it had become the main anti-slavery party in the North and West. Because the Democratic vote was split at the time, Lincoln could win the presidency without carrying any Southern states. The other parties listed—Whig and Federalist—had faded away long before, and Lincoln was not a Democrat.