Democratic Convention of 1860

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, and a convention of disgruntled Democrats, primarily Southerners. The convention of 1860 highlighted a split between the Northern and Southern democrats. Every other event on this timeline shows sectionalism on a broad nation-wide scale, however this is a more microscopic scale within the Democratic party. The main issue being disputed was, of course, slavery. The Southern democrats wanted more of a lenient candidate for president that would not completely abolish slavery. In contrast, the Northern government wanted a very strict, enforcing candidate that would completely abolish slavery. The two sides clashed, and what immediately followed was the beginning of the American Civil War.

Compromise of 1877

The Compromise of 1877 refers to a purported informal, unwritten deal that settled the disputed 1876 U.S. Presidential election and ended the Reconstruction of the South period. After the Civil War, Congress started the Reconstruction. The South, of course, didn't want this Reconstruction and wanted to be more independent from the North. The North also really wanted the Republican candidate, Rutherford B. Hayes, to win the presidential election. Due to these factors, the Republicans and Democrats cut a deal: reconstruction would end as long as Hayes became president. This, like the Corrupt Bargain, was a purchased presidency. However, unlike the Corrupt Bargain, it can be shown more as nationalism than sectionalism. The Corrupt Bargain highlighted the divide within the political parties, where as the Compromise of 1877 brings out a unity of the parties. Although the parties only favored the compromise because it was in their best interests, they still came together and reached just that...a compromise.