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How Lincoln's 1860 Election Sparked the Civil War

By: Richard Carwardine
Originally Published in  HistoryExtra

Abraham Lincoln’s win in 1860 wasn’t just an election victory — it challenged slavery and led Southern states to leave the Union, setting the stage for the American Civil War.

The article "How Lincoln's 1860 Election Sparked the Civil War" from BBC's HistoryExtra explores how Abraham Lincoln’s election as U.S. president in 1860 changed the course of American history. It explains the growing conflict over slavery, the breakdown of political parties, and how Lincoln's victory led to the secession of Southern states and the start of the Civil War.
Student Article Info

BBC's HistoryExtra is devoted to both British and world history and aimed at readers of all levels of knowledge and interest. Learn more about subscriptions here.

Grades:
6-89-12
Subject:
Social Studies
Topic:
History
Keywords
Abraham LincolnCivil WarslaveryRepublican Party1860 election
Illustration of Abraham Lincoln speaking to a massive crowd
© Getty

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Note: The BBC Learning Hub Editorial Team made use of AI tools to create multiple versions of this article, each tailored to different student reading levels. Every version undergoes a thorough review by our BBC Learning editors to ensure accuracy, quality, and appropriateness.

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Level 2 Reading Passage
Grades: 6-8Lexile Level: 800-1000L
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Level 3 Reading Passage
Grades: 9-12Lexile Level: 1000-1200L
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