Election Of 1860 Dbq Analysis

Southerns believed that they had no choice but to separate from the Union. The South was isolated from the North politically, economically, and socially. They no longer felt any strong bond or connection to the northerners. They saw their way of life beginning to crumble all around them, climaxing in the elections of 1860. Lincoln's election was the straw that broke the camel's back, and the southern states decided to secede. This probably would have been almost impossible to prevent. Douglas came closest with his doctrine of popular sovereignty. Under this system, slavery could flourish or be abolished: it was up to the people in the states to decide. However, this idea didn't work because neither side was willing to compromise on so important