Political Tensions Growing Until The Breaking Point Of The Republican Party

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Political Tensions Growing Until The Breaking Point The Republican Party at the time of the 1860 election was composed of many people who previously belonged to the Whig Party before it collapsed. Republicans fought diligently for the abolition of slavery and preserving the Union. Their major opponent, the Democratic Party, was composed of many people from southern states who had seceded to join the Confederate States of America. By analyzing the different perspectives of the Cornerstone Speech by Alexander H. Stephens and the Republican Party Platform of 1860, the clear ideological difference between the two parties regarding slavery and racial equality played a large role in deepening political divides, but also escalating tensions that led to the Civil War …show more content…

Additionally, he believed the North to be fanatics because they believed that African Americans should have the same rights as white men. He criticized their entire premise, arguing that God never meant for them to be equal, so they were fighting for an impossible cause. Stephens told supporters that he knew many would oppose the confederacy and its ideas, but he was confident it would prevail. While, The Cornerstone Speech focused on one issue, slavery, the Republican Party Platform (1860) addressed many political issues and broke down the different political ideologies of the party. It was important to the Republican Party that everyone's rights in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were met. It was also important that the Union be kept together and to continue to grow together. In order for the nation to be successful, there needs to be unity. Additionally, they want to eliminate wasteful federal spending and implement strict financial management. The Republican Party's platform strongly supported the abolition of