Cataclysm unfolded in Springfield, Illinois, on November 6, 1860, with cannon fire signaling the beginning of Election Day. Despite the nation being filled with tension, Springfield’s residents were caught up in an atmosphere of anticipation. Abraham Lincoln, a prominent figure, was considered one of the top candidates, but uncertainty lingered as to whether he could win. If no candidate won a majority, the decision would rest in the hands of the House of Representatives. Meanwhile, the local ice cream parlor, a beloved gathering spot in town, provided refreshments to Republican women, symbolizing camaraderie in the midst of a politically charged environment.

Lincoln, who walked five blocks to the state capitol’s campaign office, was granted special access by the governor. As he reflected on the weight of the moment, he compared elections to “big boils”—an uncomfortable experience that ultimately benefits the country in the end. At the same time, figures like Charles Francis Adams praised the peaceful process by which leadership transitions were happening in the U.S., acknowledging the nation’s orderly approach to this significant event. Despite the celebrations, the outcome of the election remained uncertain, and the fate of the country appeared precarious. Lincoln’s candidacy had become a point of contention that would ultimately reshape the nation’s future.

Lincoln’s anticipated victory would mark a cataclysmic shift in American politics. A win for Lincoln would displace the pro-slavery Democrats and solidify the Republican Party as the new dominant force in national politics. This shift was due, in part, to the fracturing of the Democratic Party, which allowed Lincoln’s Republican Party to gain traction. As Lincoln’s popularity surged, Southern fears escalated. They viewed him as an abolitionist intent on dismantling the South’s economic and social systems. Southern newspapers stoked these fears, advocating for immediate secession if Lincoln won, perceiving his presidency as the end of their way of life.

At 3:30 PM, Lincoln cast his vote, and the crowd around him cheered with enthusiasm, calling him “Old Abe” and “Honest Abe.” Lincoln’s humility was evident as he publicly dropped his ballot but also took the moment to cut his name from it. This humble gesture reinforced his commitment to his principles over self-promotion, making him even more popular among his supporters. Meanwhile, news reports began coming in from across the nation. Early results showed Lincoln holding a significant lead, with strong wins in cities like Chicago and states like Connecticut. Although the outcome was looking increasingly favorable for Lincoln, there was still anxiety surrounding the final count, which persisted until New York’s results confirmed his success.

With the news of Lincoln’s victory, Springfield erupted in celebrations, though a sense of unease lingered. Many in the North rejoiced, but in the South, particularly in South Carolina, the election results were met with outrage. Several federal officials in the South resigned in protest, signaling that they would not accept the election’s outcome. Lincoln, bewildered by the reaction, struggled to comprehend why his election had provoked such strong opposition. He had consistently stated that he would not interfere with slavery where it already existed, but his words failed to allay Southern fears. The South’s response to Lincoln’s victory revealed a deep division that would soon tear the nation apart. The secession crisis, which had been building for years, was now at a breaking point, and the country stood on the brink of civil war.

While Lincoln’s victory marked the beginning of a new chapter in U.S. history, it also served as a catalyst for the South’s secession. The election results exposed the deepening rift between the North and South, with each side viewing the other with growing hostility and distrust. Lincoln’s election, which had been a cause for celebration in much of the North, was perceived as a threat to Southern sovereignty and a harbinger of the end of the institution of slavery. The nation, once united, was now fractured, and the possibility of peaceful resolution seemed increasingly unlikely. The election of 1860 set the stage for a conflict that would change the course of American history forever.