Abraham Lincoln becomes President
6 Nov 1860
Causes: Republicans nominated Abraham Lincoln to go up against the Democrat candidates (Douglas, Breckinridge).
People: President Lincoln
Effects: When Lincoln won, South Carolina and 6 other southern states seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America, since now Republicans controlled all 3 branches of the government. This was the start of the US Civil War, since Lincoln decided against compromise (Crittenden Compromise) and instead chose war.