Douglas Democrat
Encyclopedia
Douglas Democrat refers to those Democrats
who supported U.S. Senator
Stephen Arnold Douglas of Illinois
in the 1860 U.S. presidential election.
The Douglas Democrats were the majority of the party nationally. However, the party became divided over expansion of slavery into the Territories: the western parts of the country which were being settled and would form new states.
Douglas was neutral on slavery expansion, and came to be opposed by southern pro-slavery Democrats.
At the 1860 Democratic National Convention
, the minority of pro-slavery Democrats blocked Douglas from getting the 2/3 majority required for nomination. Then most of them bolted the convention. Douglas was nominated by nearly all the remaining delegates.
The bolters formed their own convention and nominated John Breckinridge
of Kentucky
.
Thus, in the November election, there were two Democratic candidates. Douglas received nearly all Democrat votes in the free states - far more votes than Breckinridge - but very few in the slave states, especially the Deep South, and many fewer votes than the Republican votes for Lincoln in the free states of the North.
Douglas carried only one state: Missouri
. In New Jersey
, where presidential electors were chosen individually, Douglas split with Lincoln.
Soon after the election of 1860, several slave states declared secession
, and ceased to participate in the national Democratic Party, which was left to Douglas' followers. However, Douglas himself died in 1861, so the term "Douglas Democrat" ceased to have any meaning.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
who supported U.S. Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Stephen Arnold Douglas of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
in the 1860 U.S. presidential election.
The Douglas Democrats were the majority of the party nationally. However, the party became divided over expansion of slavery into the Territories: the western parts of the country which were being settled and would form new states.
Douglas was neutral on slavery expansion, and came to be opposed by southern pro-slavery Democrats.
At the 1860 Democratic National Convention
1860 Democratic National Convention
The 1860 Democratic National Convention was one of the crucial events in the lead-up to the American Civil War. Following a fragmented official Democratic National Convention that was adjourned in deadlock, two more presidential nominating conventions took place: a resumed official convention,...
, the minority of pro-slavery Democrats blocked Douglas from getting the 2/3 majority required for nomination. Then most of them bolted the convention. Douglas was nominated by nearly all the remaining delegates.
The bolters formed their own convention and nominated John Breckinridge
John Breckinridge
John Breckinridge or Breckenridge may refer to:*John Breckinridge , United States Senator and Attorney General...
of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
.
Thus, in the November election, there were two Democratic candidates. Douglas received nearly all Democrat votes in the free states - far more votes than Breckinridge - but very few in the slave states, especially the Deep South, and many fewer votes than the Republican votes for Lincoln in the free states of the North.
Douglas carried only one state: Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
. In New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, where presidential electors were chosen individually, Douglas split with Lincoln.
Soon after the election of 1860, several slave states declared secession
Secession
Secession is the act of withdrawing from an organization, union, or especially a political entity. Threats of secession also can be a strategy for achieving more limited goals.-Secession theory:...
, and ceased to participate in the national Democratic Party, which was left to Douglas' followers. However, Douglas himself died in 1861, so the term "Douglas Democrat" ceased to have any meaning.