The first Tuesday of November is usually Election Day, a day when free citizens of the American Republic case their votes for the candidates who will represent them. The process is often messy. Sharp differences of opinion are the norm, but in 1860 the election was especially contentious.
The results launched the United States into disunity and civil war.
Though the issues have changed over 150 years, the foundational principles and political climate are eerily similar even today.
Consider:
- What was the effect of disunity within the two dominant political parties?
- What was the effect of a third-party candidate?
- Was “moderation” of benefit?
- Was it helpful to ignore the critical issues of the day in order to focus on issues where there was more agreement?
It’s interesting to note which parties stood for what.
The video does not speak of the impact of the electoral college, but I’d encourage you to look it up and read a bit about why the Constitutional Framers instituted it.
- Did the electoral college, in this instance, do what it was supposed to do?
- Has the electoral college been changed since the Constitution was written?
- Does the electoral college still fulfill its intended purpose?
