Chapter 5 Summary and Analysis

In chapter five, Lincoln is shown to have pushed for a united Republican party, aware that this would be essential if they were to win in 1860. To achieve this, the Republicans became aware that they must stay away from the idea of black equality. They also realized that becoming embroiled in the fight over the Fugitive Slave Law could cause them trouble. Lincoln promoted the Republican party as a conservative party, despite their views on slavery. In a speech at the Cooper Institute, Lincoln claimed that the Republicans did not want to change slavery in states where it already existed, but only wanted to stop it from expanding. Lincoln also suggested that it was Southerners who were tearing apart the country, not Republicans, by threatening succession.

The Democratic party remained divided in 1860, presenting two candidates to the people for the presidential...