Significant Turning Points In The 19th Century

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During our nation’s history, there have been many significant turning points. Each century has endured its own trials to help shape the United States of America that exist today. When analyzing the events of the 19th century specifically, there are several key events that protrude as significant points. However, a specific event can truly hold the title of the turning point of the 19th century. This event is the Election of 1860 and, as a result, the secession of the southern states. During the period leading up to the election, democrats could not unite on a single candidate to represent their party. On the republican side, Abraham Lincoln, a little known lawyer from Illinois, represented their side of the ballot with his anti-slavery views. …show more content…

In short, the Election of 1860 triggered the secession of the south which started a whole new series of conflicts. The election was truly the tipping point which started the American Civil War. To emphasize, without the results of the election as they were, this nation may have never experienced the bloody inner conflict of the Civil War. Also, the election and secession spurred extreme hostility in a majority of Americans, and heightened the instability of the country. Not only was it instable geographically, but politically as well. This event also triggered many deaths, either from the extreme hostility between northerners and southerners, and all of the lives lost in the Civil War. As far as long term, the election and secession made an everlasting need for compromise within our nation. Without it, the nation could still be threatened to split up over every disagreement. Indirectly, the election and secession also led to the end of slavery because it triggered the war. Overall, this event led to everlasting grudges which can still be found between people in the north or south. American history is even taught differently in different areas of the country. This event showed the fragility of our nation, and highlighted the intense need to compromise to uphold the nation and

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