The Election of 1864 Explained

Summary

The video covers the 1864 U.S. presidential election, emphasizing the complexities of wartime politics. Lincoln, despite his unpopularity and challenges from Radical Republicans and Democrats, managed to secure re-election. The Republican Party temporarily rebranded as the National Union Party, nominating Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. The Democrats, divided over war and peace, chose General McClellan, but their mixed messages weakened their campaign. Key events, like Sherman's capture of Atlanta, shifted momentum in Lincoln's favor, leading to a decisive victory. The video also touches on Lincoln's assassination shortly after his second inauguration.

Takeaways

• 😀 The election of 1864 was the first war-time election since 1812 and the first since Andrew Jackson in 1832 to be reelected.
• 🏆 Lincoln won the election but faced significant opposition and wasn't guaranteed a victory.
• 🔄 The Republican Party rebranded as the National Union Party to unite with war Democrats and included a Democratic governor on the ticket.
• 🤝 The National Union Party's platform included unconditional surrender, support for the 13th Amendment, aid for veterans, and infrastructure development.
• 🐟 Salmon Chase, Lincoln's Secretary of Treasury, initially sought the Republican nomination but was outmaneuvered by Lincoln.
• 💥 The Democratic Party was divided into war Democrats, moderate peace Democrats, and hard-core peace Democrats (Copperheads).
• 🤔 General George McClellan, the Democratic nominee, ran on a peace platform, which conflicted with his war Democrat stance.
• 🔄 The Radical Republicans, dissatisfied with Lincoln, formed the Radical Democracy Party and nominated John Fremont, who later dropped out to support Lincoln.
• 📈 Lincoln's fortunes turned with military successes like General Sherman's capture of Atlanta, which bolstered his campaign.
• 🏆 Lincoln secured a significant victory with 212 electoral votes to McClellan's 21, winning the popular vote with 55 percent.

Q & A

Why was the 1864 election significant in American history?

The 1864 election was the first war election since 1812 and no president had been elected to a second term since Andrew Jackson in 1832. It was also significant because it occurred during the American Civil War, making it a critical moment to determine the leadership for the Union.

Why did the Republican Party form the National Union Party for the 1864 election?

The Republican Party created the National Union Party to unite with war Democrats who believed the war needed to be concluded. This was due to fractures within the Republican Party, with Radical Republicans pushing for more aggressive measures than Lincoln was willing to take.

What was the stance of the National Union Party on slavery and the war?

The National Union Party's platform included unconditional surrender, support for the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery, and the use of black troops in the war effort. They also advocated for infrastructure development, immigration, and the Monroe Doctrine.

Who were the factions within the Democratic Party during the 1864 election?

The Democratic Party had war Democrats who wanted to finish the war, moderate peace Democrats who wanted to negotiate peace, and hard-core peace Democrats known as Copperheads who just wanted to end the war.

Why did the Democratic Party choose General George McClellan as their nominee?

The Democratic Party chose General George McClellan as their nominee because there were enough war Democrats in the party to convince others to support him. Despite being a war Democrat, he ran on a peace platform, which later became a liability.

What was the role of Salmon Chase in the 1864 election?

Salmon Chase, Lincoln's Secretary of Treasury and featured on the $10,000 bill, initially sought the Republican nomination but was outmaneuvered by Lincoln. Lincoln later appointed him to the Supreme Court.

Why did John Fremont, the Radical Democracy Party's nominee, drop out of the 1864 election?

John Fremont dropped out of the election after seeing the Democratic Party's peace platform and realizing the importance of keeping the Republican coalition together to prevent a Democratic victory that could potentially end the war prematurely.

How did the outcome of the Battle of Atlanta in September 1864 influence Lincoln's election chances?

The capture of Atlanta by General Sherman significantly boosted Lincoln's chances as it signaled that the war was turning in favor of the Union, making Lincoln the favorite to win the election.

What was the electoral vote count for Lincoln and McClellan in the 1864 election?

Lincoln and Johnson won with 212 electoral votes, capturing 55 percent of the popular vote. McClellan and his running mate George Pendleton received only 21 electoral votes.

How did Lincoln's approach to the war and his political maneuvers affect his popularity during the election?

Lincoln was initially unpopular due to the ongoing war, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the draft. However, his political maneuvers, such as forming a bipartisan ticket and the late-war victories, helped secure his re-election.